So those who seek us both merely say, 'I am going to visit Barine'-- and there are too many who say this--I can no longer choose, and this thought--" "Child! child!" interrupted her mother joyfully, "what god met you as you went out this morning ?" "Surely you know," she answered gaily; "it was seven doves, and, when I took the little basket from the bill of the first and prettiest one, it told me a story.

Do you want to hear it ?" "Yes, yes; but be quick, or we shall be interrupted." Then Barine leaned farther back among the cushions, lowered her long lashes, and began: "Once upon a time there was a woman who had a garden in the most aristocratic quarter of the city--here near the Paneum, if you please.

In the autumn, when the fruit was ripening, she left the gate open, though all her neighbours did the opposite.

To keep away unbidden lovers of her nice figs and dates, she fastened on the gate a tablet bearing the inscription: 'All may enter and enjoy the sight of the garden; but the dogs will bite any one who breaks a flower, treads upon the grass, or steals the fruit.' "The woman had nothing but a lap-dog, and that did not always obey her.
But the tablet fulfilled its purpose; for at first none came except her neighbours in the aristocratic quarter.

They read the threat, and probably without it would have respected the property of the woman who so kindly opened the door to them.