The ash represents some of the finest qualities in human nature.'" "That wasn't much like love talk, John." "It was the best kind of talk, mother.

There had to be some commonplace conversation to induce that familiarity which made love talk possible.
So I told her how the ash would grow _anywhere_--even at the seaside, where all trees lean from the sea--_except the ash_.

Sea or no sea, it stands straight up.

Even the oak will shave up on the side of the wind, _but not the ash_.

And best of all, the ash bears pruning better than any other tree.