^28 
THE RETURN HOME 
It had been Joseph’s wish to return home at dusk. 
I think he dreaded seeing the garden first under the 
full light of the sun. Then nothing can be hid- 
den. At dusk, however, as we glanced over the 
triangle, all appeared much as when we went away. 
We were able tO' sleep in peace. Indeed, little had 
changed at the Six Spruces. The flowers and mes- 
sages from our neighbours made it seem gay and 
good to be home again. Mr. Percy stayed with 
us for dinner this first day of our return, and then 
went quickly away. I think he noticed that the 
“sandman” was already troubling Joseph’s eyelids. 
We both slept early and well. 
I do not know at what hour in the morning Jo- 
seph awoke. It must have been fairly early, as, 
when I was in the garden at eight o’clock, he was 
there looking as if he had been pulling weeds for 
hours. The dew was still on the grass, the scent 
of early morning was over everything, and the 
birds had not finished their chatterings. The gar- 
den never looked more lovely, yet it was changed. 
I saw this clearly. I do not mean that it was ap- 
parent because a few weeds had taken advantage 
of Joseph’s absence, or because the bugs had eaten 
many rose-leaves. I saw it, perhaps, because Au- 
gust had passed on to September. 
Almost all the plants that we had left in bloom 
were still sending out flowers. The nasturtiums, 
both dwarf and climbing, appeared to be outdoing 
themselves, the phloxes were merrily showing their 
