e draws and nearer.
A sudden plunge from the bush--a sickening crunch. Red Head has dined
for the fifth time in one evening.

Death and Silence reign in the woods. Save for the chortling of the
night-jar, the chirp of the burying-beetle, the snores of the
gamekeeper, etc., etc. (see above) one might imagine oneself in the
solemn stillness of Piccadilly Circus at midnight.

Death and Silence.

[_Editor._ "Yes, but the identity of the protagonists in this Sophoclean
tragedy is still a little in doubt."

_The Expert._ "Any nature sketch ends satisfactorily with a meal."]

All this time the crescent moon has been swelling silently under the
watchful stars. It is now at the full. So is Red Head. He has dined five
times. He sleeps.

* * * * *

[Illustration: (_Lady Bountiful is entertaining some slum children at
her lovely place in the country._)

_Sister (to small brother who has just picked a daisy)._ "NAR VEN, 'ERB!
THE LIDY WON'T ARST YER AGINE IF YER GOW A-PICKIN' 'ER FLOWERS LIKE
THET!"]

* * * * *

THE ROCK GARDENESS IN LONDON.

(_A Ballad of Labels._)

Dame Fashion, when she calls the tune,
Must surely crave my pardon
For prisoning me in leafy June
Far from my Alpine garden.

So that in crowded square or street
My Fancy's playful mockery
Plants all the pavement at my feet
With favourites from the rockery.

And so that, heedless to the claims
Of passing conversation,
I murmur to myself their names
By way of consolation.

The thread of compliment may run
Through many ball-room Babels--
I have one language, only one,
The language of the labels.

In Kedar's tents are festive hours,
The _noctes_ and the _coenae_;
My heart is where _RETUSA_ flowers,
And crimson-starred _SILENE_.

I see the grey stones overhung
With lilac and laburnum;
I hear the drone of bees among
Blue depths of _LITHOSPERNUM_.

And in the box on opera nights
Between each thrilling scene I
Recall the miniature delights
Of _MENTHA REQUIENII_;

Admirers find me deaf and dumb
To all their honeyed wheedling,
I muse on _LONGIFOLIUM_
And dream of _STORMONTH SEEDLINGS_.

And, when they come to hint their loves
Through all the usual stages,
I wish I were in gardening gloves
Among my Saxifrages.

* * * * *

More Russian Methods.

"EAST-EN