He had the air of a monarch displaying his kingdom.

On one side was a bit of moss worthy of the closest attention; on another, a vine that carried allurement in every tendril.

Here was a flower that was like a story for interest, and there was a bush that bore a secret worth the telling.

Even Simeon Holly glowed into a semblance of life when David had unerringly picked out and called by name the spruce, and fir, and pine, and larch, and then, in answer to Mrs.Holly's murmured: "But, David, where's the difference?
They look so much alike!" he had said:-- "Oh, but they aren't, you know.

Just see how much more pointed at the top that fir is than that spruce back there; and the branches grow straight out, too, like arms, and they're all smooth and tapering at the ends like a pussy-cat's tail.