20 WITH EARTH AND SKY 
to uproot the grass. The dandelions had the 
right of way. If possession be points in law, 
then the dandelion in this yard may stand on his 
rights, for he is unquestioned occupant. He has 
not debated; but neither has he abated. He is 
not deploying in skirmish lines but is here in 
full force. While you are uprooting one plant 
a number of others have rooted. Just how soon 
you may extirpate a race which is born three 
times as fast as it dies I leave to statisticians to 
figure out. I am no statistician. I am a Chris- 
tian and a brother. Mark you, I have not re- 
fused to reclaim the lawn and make it a grass 
lawn. Far from that. I am no Innocent abroad, 
but a man chastened in spirit and studied in 
sobriety; but the lawn shows no progress. In 
fact, according to my domestic authority it is in a 
state of retrogression, and this I cannot deny. 
But can a man do more than a man can? I go 
through the motions, I uproot no grass: I uproot 
some dandelions, but if they succeed in their own 
defense in undoing my doings, can I be blamed? 
My appeal is to the fair-minded and humanitarian. 
In our home a good man can anticipate no fair 
verdict. The dandelion shall own this lawn. 
They do not attempt: they succeed. As a matter 
of whispered confidence, I may intimate that 
their open disobedience to the undisputed head 
of our house gives me interior delight. I grieve 
to see that sign of male depravity in me; but it is 
there. My spirit, I plainly see, is bent but not 
