262 WHISPERS FROM FAIRYLAND, [v.

 

with the great majority it is otherwise. The plant is
exceedingly tender and difficult to rear, and all the
more so because it always looks so healthy at first
that one is tempted to think it requires but little care.
The very reverse, however, is the case. Nothing is
harder than really to bring a “good intention ” to per-
fection. Various kinds of worms assail it, known here
as the “temptation worms,” and more frequently still
it falls a victim to the blight which we call “Indo-
lence,” and so the promised fruit is never gathered.’

Harry listened and wondered at. the account of
this plant, and would have asked some more questions
about it, only that his companions hurried him on to
the next compartment, which, like the last, was one of
considerable size.

‘This, said the brown gentleman, ‘is the Hope-
house, which contains some curious varieties of a plant
which, while life lasts, is always found growing in the
breast of man, which is its favourite soil. Here you
may observe some very fine and thriving plants, which
we call Realised Hopes, whilst these which seem
blighted and dying are Disappointed Hopes, and these
pale and sickly-looking plants, which appear as if they
might either fade or recover according to the care
with which they are tended, are known by the name
of Hope Deferred, a most trying plant to rear,’

As he spoke, he led the way into another compart-
ment, in which were a number of trees with plenty of
branches, but with scarcely any leaves to speak of.

‘This,’ said he, ‘is the Repentance-tree, of which we
have, as you may see, a vast number. It is one ex-
tremely common in your world, and one which we