“‘Those are the trees of which I speak. The leaves are now of those colours because it is autumn. Earlier in the season they were of a bright green above, and whitish—or, as it is termed, glaucous—on the under surface.’
“‘Oh!’ said Harry, seemingly disappointed with this information. ‘I have noticed them, too. They are very beautiful trees, it is true; but then—’
“‘Then, what?’
“‘They are of no use to us—such big trees as they are. There is no fruit upon them, for I looked carefully; and what then? We do not need their timber, I’m sure. We have as good timber as we want in these tulip-trees.’
“‘Come, Master Hal—not so fast, if you please. There are many parts of a tree which may serve for valuable uses besides its fruit, or its timber either.’
“‘What! the leaves?’ inquired the impatient Harry. ‘What use can we make of leaves?’
“‘Come, brother,’ said Frank, in an improving tone; ‘the leaves of some trees are very valuable. What think you of the tea-plant, for instance?’
“Harry felt rebuked, and remained silent.
“‘We can make no use of the leaves of this tree,’ continued his mother; ‘at least none that I am aware of.’
“‘The bark, then?’ interrogated Harry.