CHAPTER IX
"NOTHING BUT LEAVES"
When the leaves were well out on the trees Helen held an Observation Class one afternoon, in front of the cave.
"How many members of this handsome and intelligent Club know what leaves are for?" she inquired.
"As representing in a high degree both the qualities you mention, Madam President," returned Tom, with a bow, "I take upon myself the duty of replying that perhaps you and Roger do because you've studied botany, and maybe Margaret and James do because they've had a garden, and it's possible that the Ethels and Dorothy do inasmuch as they've had the great benefit of your acquaintance, but that Della and I don't know the very first thing about leaves except that spinach and lettuce are good to eat."
"Take a good, full breath after that long sentence," advised James. "Go ahead, Helen. I don't know much about leaves except to recognize them when I see them."
"Do you know what they're for?" demanded Helen, once again.
"I can guess," answered Margaret. "Doesn't the plant breathe and eat through them?"
"It does exactly that. It takes up food from water and from the soil by its roots and it gets food and water from the air by its leaves."