Autumn

, the branches of an oak tree, which is last of all to leaf. When he finally aros

school pump, Mrs. Grumble got down on her knees, and began to scrub the floor. The schoolmaster went ahead with the broom. "Sweep in all the corners," she said. "For," sh

dirt he had collected with his broom, and watched it leap across the threshold with regret. He would have l

s of the Church, and although he had opinions about everything, he was unable to teach his pupils what they wished to learn, and they, in turn, were unable t

and age," said Mr. Jeminy. Then

iles," he wou

ined it, they were inter

Mr. Jeminy that he heard the voices of innumerable children whispering together; and it seemed to him that one voic

to read the works of celebrated men, and

dry chuckle like salt shaken in a

s?" cried

u know me, old friend? I am plus and m

floor, "have you gone mad? Whatever are you

eminy, stupidly.

yes peering without envy at Mrs. Grumble, as she bent above the pail of soap-suds. Then, with a flirt of his tail, he hurried

"and two of radishes; they grow anywhere. I'll get Crabbe to give me onion sets, cabbages, and tomato plants. Two rows of peas

tood beside him, holding the hoe,

" continued Mr. Jem

a few hills of squash,"

r. Jeminy, "

liked it. "You see," he said finally, looking

" said Mr

and cover them with earth again. As he watched, half in indignation, he thought: "Thus, in other times, Ceres sowed the earth with seed, and, like Mrs.

lars a bushel," she said: "it's h

difficult to weed, and when they are grown you must begin to quarrel

said Mrs. Grumble,

to kill them with lime. But it is best of all not

umble made no

hing God has n

Grumble, "speak of G

f green branches near the little chapel of Saint Damian, he beheld his father coming to upbraid him for what he considered his son's obstinate folly. At once Saint Francis, who was possessed of a quick wit, began to gather together a number of old stones, w

; "it is all the more difficult because, for buildin

great pillows, sail on the wind from west to east. Under the shiny sky, among the warm, sweet fields, Mr. Jeminy looked no more important than a robin, and not much wiser. Had the children been older, they would have tr

began a red-cheeked plowboy, to whom

s San Fr

sco is in C

is Se

ttle is a little black period on a map. But to them, it is a name, like China, or Jerusalem; it is here,

aid, "let me hear

mething eve

ader through their sums. "Two a

r ap

s from eight app

e ap

he grass, with loud shouts. At last only two were left to dispute the letters in asparagus

ng the winter. Let me say to you who will not return to school: I have taught you to read, to write, to add and subtract; you know a little h

ttle: love, and liberty, the work of one's hands, fellowship, and peace. These things have no value; they are not to be bought; but they al

r, the poverty of love,

and hones

s over. Y

d. Mr. Jeminy, lying on his back in the grass, listened to them sadly. As the voices grew fainter and fainter, it seemed to him as if the

Jeminy's little speech to the children, now got up, and went b