In fact, the veranda and garden beyond would have been paradise to a fruitarian.

Against the wall of the store-room, stood a large tin dish piled with melons, pine-apples and miscellaneous garden produce, while, between the veranda posts, could be seen a guava-tree, an elderly fig and a loquat all in full bearing.

The garden seemed a tangle of all manner of vegetation--an oleander in bloom, a poinsettia, a yucca, lifting its spike of waxen white blossoms, a narrow flower-border in which the gardenias had become tall shrubs and the scented verbena shrubs almost trees.

As for the blend of perfume, it was dreamily intoxicating.

Two bamboos, guarding the side entrance gate, made a soft whispering that heightened the dream-sense.