usually happens--and softened
for us the disenchantment of the change.

Here, at least, was no desecration of a hallowed spot. When the past
has been dead and buried a long while ago there is no sweeter
decking for its grave than a rich autumn tangle, all yellow and
brown and pale and hectic red, with glossy evergreens and soft, damp
moss to keep up the illusion of spring and summer all the year
round.

Much to the amusement of the old concierge and his wife, Barty
insisted on climbing into a huge horse-chestnut tree, in which was a
natural seat, very high up, where, well hidden by the dense foliage,
he and I used to color pipes for boys who couldn't smoke without
feeling sick.

Nothing would suit him now but that he must smoke a pipe there while
we talked to the good old couple below.

"Moi aussi, je fumais quand c'etait defendu; que voulez-vous? Il
faut bien que jeunesse se passe, n'est ce pas?" said the old
soldier.

"Ah, dame!" said his old wife, and sighed.

Every tree in this enchanted place had its history--every corner,
every square yard of soil. I will not inflict these histories on the
reader; I will restrain myself with all my might, and merely state
that just as the old school had been replaced by this noble dwelling
the noble dwelling itself has now been replaced, trees and garden
and all, by a stately palace many stories high, which rears itself
among so many other stately palaces that I can't even identify the
spot where once stood the Institution F. Brossard!

Later, Barty made me solemnly pledge my word that if he and Leah
should pre-decease me I would see to their due cremating and the
final mingling of their ashes; that a portion of these--say
half--should be set apart to be scattered on French soil, in places
he would indicate in his will, and that the lion's share of that
half should be sprinkled over the ground that once was our
play-ground, with--or without--the legitimate owner's permission.

(Alas! and ah me! These instructions would have been carried out to
the letter but that the place itself is no more; and, with a
conviction that I should be merely acting just as they would have
wished, I took it on myself to mingle with their ashes those of a
very sweet and darling child of theirs, dearer to them and to me and
to us all than any creature ever born into this cruel universe; and
I scattered a portion of these precious remains to the four winds,
close by the old spot we so loved.)