Dear old garden!--such as one rarely sees now-a-days!--I would give the finest modern pleasure-ground for the like of thee! This was what John's garden became; its every inch and every flower still live in more memories than mine, and will for a generation yet; but I am speaking of it when it was young, like its gardeners.

These were Mrs.Halifax and her husband, Jem and Jenny.

The master could not do much; he had long, long hours in his business; but I used to watch Ursula, morning after morning, superintending her domain, with her faithful attendant Jem--Jem adored his "missis." Or else, when it was hot noon, I used to lie in their cool parlour, and listen to her voice and step about the house, teaching Jenny, or learning from her--for the young gentlewoman had much to learn, and was not ashamed of it either.
She laughed at her own mistakes, and tried again; she never was idle or dull for a minute.

She did a great deal in the house herself.

Often she would sit chatting with me, having on her lap a coarse brown pan, shelling peas, slicing beans, picking gooseberries; her fingers--Miss March's fair fingers--looking fairer for the contrast with their unaccustomed work.