Another accomplishment of his was also connected with his love of plants.
"It's little enough a man can do about a house the best of times," said Elspeth, "and the master's just as feckless as a bairn.

But he makes a fine sallet." I shudder almost as I write the words.

How little we thought that my poor grandfather's one useful gift would have so fatal an ending! But I must put it down in order.

It was the end of many things.

Of my life at The Vine among them, and very nearly of my life in this world altogether.