"It won't do," said the man, "to follow too slavishly every
detail of practice as recommended by Downing. We have learned a
good many things since the forties."
"The fact is," I said, "no literal-minded man should be trusted
with Downing."
"Any more than with the Holy Scriptures," exclaimed the woman.
"Exactly!" I responded with the greatest enthusiasm; "exactly! We
go to him for inspiration, for fundamental teachings, for the
great literature and poetry of the art. Do you remember," I
asked, "that passage in which Downing quotes from some old
Chinaman upon the true secret of the pleasures of a garden--?"
"Do we?" exclaimed the man, jumping up instantly; "do we? Just
let me get the book--"
With that he went into the house and came back immediately
bringing a lamp in one hand--for it had grown pretty dark--and a
familiar, portly, blue-bound book in the other. While he was gone
the woman said:
"You have touched Mr. Vedder in his weakest spot."
"I know of no combination in this world," said I, "so certain to
produce a happy heart as good books and a farm or garden."
Mr. Vedder, having returned, slipped on his spectacles, sat
forward on the edge of his rocking-chair, and opened the book
with pious hands.
"I'll find it," he said.
Pages:
44
45
46
47
48
49
50
51
52
53
54
55
56
57
58
59
60
61
62
63
64
65
66
67
68