d not exult； I did not lose control of myself in any way。 But I remember drawing one or two deep sighs； as if all at once relieved of some distressing burden or constraint。 Only some hours after did I begin to feel any kind of agitation。 That night I did not close my eyes； the night after I slept longer and more soundly than I remember to have done for a score of years。 Once or twice in the first week I had a hysterical feeling； I scarce kept myself from shedding tears。 And the strange thing is that it seems to have happened so long ago； I seem to have been a free man for many a twelvemonth； instead of only for two。 Indeed； that is what I have often thought about forms of true happiness； the brief are quite as satisfying as those that last long。 I wanted； before my death； to enjoy liberty from care； and repose in a place I love。 That was granted me； and； had I known it only for one whole year； the sum of my enjoyment would have been no whit less than if I live to savour it for a decade。
XXIV
The honest fellow who es to dig in my garden is puzzled to account for my peculiarities； I often catch a look of wondering speculation in his eye when it turns upon me。 It is all because I will not let him lay out flower…beds in the usual way； and make the bit of ground in front of the house really neat and ornamental。 At first he put it down to meanness； but he knows by now that that cannot be the explanation。 That I really prefer a garden so poor and plain that every cottager would be ashamed of it； he cannot bring himself to believe； and of course I have long since given up trying to explain myself。 The good man probably concludes that too many books and the habit of solitude have somewhat affected what he would call my 〃reasons。〃
The only garden flowers