She shook her head mournfully.
"No, no! When we think all is going well we are sure to see the gardeners. The gardeners are certain to come upon us."
"Gardeners!" said the Lady Pearl, mystified. "Do you think that the misery of the world is caused by gardeners?"
"I do, indeed," answered Chloe, intent on her fate, and speaking with poignant conviction; "I am perfectly certain of it now."
"How strange! I wonder why it should be so; but perhaps we are not meant to know here."
"I do know; I know very well," said Chloe.
"Then why is it?" asked the Lady Pearl.
"Because"—Chloe suddenly recollected herself and paused—"because we are all gardeners," she said, assuming the portentous air of one who deals in allegories. "Do we not garden in each other's souls?"
"How exquisitely thoughtful you are!" said the Lady Pearl with ecstasy; "so different from a Guardsman!"