In Lilac Tide 
159 
have been no nearer me than the tropics. I had a 
small world, but it was large enough, since it was 
bounded by garden walls. 
Almond trees are seldom seen in northern gar- 
dens ; but the Flowering Almond flourishes as one 
of the purest and loveliest familiar shrubs. Silvery 
pink in bloom when it opens, the pink darkens till 
when in full flower it is deeply rosy. It was, next 
to the Lilac, the favorite shrub of my childhood. 
I used to call the exquisite little blooms “ fairy 
roses,” and there were many fairy tales relating to 
the Almond bush. This made the flower enhaloed 
with sentiment and mystery, which charmed as much 
as its beauty. The Flowering Almond seemed to 
have a special place under a window in country 
yards and gardens, as it is shown on page 39. A 
fitting spot it was, since it never grew tall enough to 
shade the little window panes. 
With Pussy-willows and Almond blossoms and 
Ladi es’ Delights, with blossoming playhouse Apple 
trees and sweet-scented Lilac walks, spring was cer- 
tainly Paradise in our childhood. Would it were an 
equally happy season in mature years; but who, 
garden-bred, can walk in the springtime through the 
garden of her childhood without thought of those 
who cared for the garden in its youth, and shared 
the care of their children with the care of their 
flowers, but now are seen no more. 
(( Oh, far away in some serener air, 
The eyes that loved them see a heavenly dawn : 
How can they bloom without her tender care ? 
Why should they live when her sweet life is gone ? 
