d say or do, I realized that everything
depended upon a few sentences spoken within the next minute or two.
Believe me, this experience to a man who does not know where his next
meal is coming from, nor where he is to spend the night, is well worth
having. It is a marvellous sharpener of the facts.

I knew, of course, just how these people of the cottage would ordinarily
regard an intruder whose bag and clothing must infallibly class him as a
follower of the road. And so many followers of the road are--well--

As I came nearer, the man and woman stopped rocking, but said nothing.
An old dog that had been sleeping on the top step rose slowly and stood
there.

"As I passed your garden," I said, grasping desperately for a way of
approach, "I saw your beautiful specimen of the magnolia tree--the one
still in blossom. I myself have tried to grow magnolias--but with
small success--and I'm making bold to inquire what variety you are so
successful with."

It was a shot in the air--but I knew from what I had seen that they must
be enthusiastic gardeners. The man glanced around at the magnolia with
evident pride, and was about to answer when the woman rose and with a
pleasant, quiet cordiality said:

"Won't you step up and have a chair?"

I swung my bag from my shoulder and took the proffered seat. As I did so
I saw, on the table just behind me a number magazines and books--books
of unusual sizes and shapes, indicating that they were not mere summer
novels.

"They like books!" I said to myself, with a sudden rise of spirits.

"I have tried magnolias, too," said the man, "but this is the only one
that has been really successful. It is a Chinese white magnolia."

"The one Downing describes?" I asked.

This was also a random shot, but I conjectured that if they loved both
books gardens they would know Downing--Bible of the gardener. And if
they did, we belonged to the same church.

"The very same," exclaimed the woman; "it was Downing's enthusiasm for
the Chinese magnolia which led us first to try it."

With that, like true disciples, we fell into great talk of Downing,
at first all in praise of him, and later--for may not the faithful be
permitted latitude in their comments so long as it is all within the
cloister?--we indulged in a bit of higher criticism.

"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."