which are all but trunks； at the great beautiful leaves。 Delightful； too； are the scarlet runners； which have to be propped again and again； or they would break down under the abundance of their yield。 It is a treat to me to go among them with a basket； gathering； I feel as though Nature herself showed kindness to me； in giving me such abundant food。 How fresh and wholesome are the odours……especially if a shower has fallen not long ago！
I have some magnificent carrots this year……straight； clean； tapering； the colour a joy to look upon。
XXV
For two things do my thoughts turn now and then to London。 I should like to hear the long note of a master's violin； or the faultless cadence of an exquisite voice； and I should like to see pictures。 Music and painting have always meant much to me； here I can enjoy them only in memory。
Of course there is the disfort of concert…hall and exhibition… rooms。 My pleasure in the finest music would be greatly spoilt by having to sit amid a crowd； with some idiot audible on right hand or left； and the show of pictures would give me a headache in the first quarter of an hour。 Non sum qualis eram when I waited several hours at the gallery door to hear Patti； and knew not a moment's fatigue to the end of the concert； or when； at the Academy； I was astonished to find that it was four o'clock； and I had forgotten food since breakfast。 The truth is； I do not much enjoy anything nowadays which I cannot enjoy ALONE。 It sounds morose； I imagine the ment of good people if they overheard such a confession。 Ought I； in truth； to be ashamed of it？
I always read the newspaper articles on exhibitions of pictures； and with most pleasure when the pictures are landscapes。 The mere names of paintings often gladden me for a wh