"Have--have I done anything you don't like ?" "No, my lad, no--only I've taught you all I can; and now you will go with him and learn gardening under glass--to grow peaches, and grapes, and mushrooms, and all kinds of choice flowers." I looked at him in a troubled way, and he hastened to add: "A fine opportunity for you, my boy.

Brother Solomon is a very famous gardener and takes prizes at the shows." "Oh! as to that," said Brother Solomon, "we're not much.

We do the best we can." "Horticultural medals, gold and bronze," said Old Brownsmith, smiling.
"There!--you'll have to do so as well, Grant, my lad--you will have to do me credit." I crept close to him and half-whispered: "But must I go, sir ?" "Yes, my lad, it is for your benefit," he said rather sternly; and I suppose I gave him such a piteous look that his face softened a little and he patted my shoulder.

"Come," he said, "you must be a man!" I seemed to have something in my throat which I was obliged to swallow; but I made an effort, and after a trial or two found that I could speak more clearly.
"Shall I have to go soon, sir ?" "Yes: now," said Old Brownsmith.
"Not till I've had a look round," said Brother Solomon in a slow meditative way, as he took out a handkerchief and wiped his hands, staring about him at the trees and bushes, and then, as a cat gave a friendly rub against his leg, he stooped down after the fashion of his brother, picked it up, and held it on his arm, stroking it all the time.
I had not liked the look of Brother Solomon, for he seemed cold, and quiet, and hard.

His face looked stiff, as if he never by any chance smiled; and it appeared to me as if I were going from where I had been treated like a son to a home where I should be a stranger.
"Yes," he said after looking about him, as if he were going to find fault, "I sha'n't go back just yet awhile." "Oh no! you'll have a snap of something first, and Grant here will want a bit of time to pack up his things." Old Brownsmith seemed to be speaking more kindly to me now, and this made me all the more miserable, for I had felt quite at home; and though Shock and I were bad friends, and Ike was not much of a companion, I did not want to leave them.
Old Brownsmith saw my looks, and he said: "You will run over now and then to see me and tell me how you get on.
Brother Solomon here never likes to leave his glass-houses, but you can get away now and then.