spring time, their growth during the week, then
the bursting of the leaves. Then there was the white blossom of the
black-thorn, which comes before the leaves; then that of the white-thorn
or 'May;' the silvery blossom of the willow tree; and the yellow catkins
of the hazel, called by country children 'lamb-tails.' Then came the
wild flowers of very early spring, till, as the weeks went on, their
bloom was over with summer and autumn. Now the hedges were red with hips
and haws. At last the leaves fell, and winter came once more.

"Besides all these changes there were the birds to notice--when they
first came back to England after their winter absence, when the cuckoo
was first heard, and many other things as well.

"You may take the same walk fifty-two times a year, year after year, as
he did, and yet no two walks will be alike.

"Now Sarah shall clear the table and I will fetch my portfolio of
sketches."

When Aunt Lizzie returned she said, "These are all wild flowers
here.--You know that one?"

"Why, yes, it is a primrose. We should know what a primrose was like
better by this than by the dried ones. Why, aunt! you have painted a
whole lot of them growing just as they do grow."

"Yes; I like, if I can, to paint the flowers in their natural places,
besides taking a single flower and painting it the size of life. Look
at that wild rose-bush mixed with bramble in that piece of hedge;
underneath it I have painted a small spray of roses and buds."

"What is that pretty little flower?" asked Annie; "I don't remember ever
having seen one like it."

"It is the wood-sorrel; a very lovely little thing it is too. It is
common in woods and shady places; but the flowers are almost over now."

"We have some roots of it in the shrubbery, and I saw one flower in
bloom there this morning," said Katey.

"Well, you may all go and look at it, if you like." So the children
scampered away to look at the small pale, drooping flower.

"What pretty leaves it has!" said Mary. "I have brought one with me; it
looks like a cluster of leaves in one."

"Yes; the bright, transparent leaves and stems are very delicate. These
leaves will frequently fold up, if knocked, like the leaves of a
sensitive plant. You can look for a plant in the woods and try it. The
leaves, too, have a very acid taste."

"I see a violet root. I like violets because of their sweet smell," said
Annie.

"I like what are called dog-violets too," said her aunt.