"I heard through all only the 'No,'" said the Young Man, giving a free translation of a favourite German quotation.
"You know I value your help. The garden is much indebted to you, but of course I don't like to bother people."
"That is quite a new idea," interrupted Jim, scraping his muddy little hands and then plunging them in among the roots again. "I can't say I have seen much result from it myself!"
"Don't you know it is no bother to me," continued the Young Man with fresh earnestness. "Don't you know—"
"Oh, no, really I don't. I have been working so hard these last few days, and I seem able to think of nothing but roots and bulbs and—practical things like that."
"I am sure I wish to be practical. I wish for nothing better," he exclaimed energetically.
"Then do finish that row of polyanthuses," I said, looking up with a forgiving smile.
"The first sensible word either of you have spoken for the last five minutes," remarked Jim, with decision. "The way you two palaver while I go steady ahead!"
But the Young Man interpreted my smile in his own way and went on cheerfully, "That's all right, then. Now, Jim, look to your laurels; these plantlets are going in with a rush!"