Weeden might have seen something. They would
ask him.
WEEDEN'S SIGN
VII
John WEEDEN--the children always saw his surname in capitals--was
probably the most competent Head Gardener of his age, or of any other
age: he supplied the household with fruit and vegetables without
grumbling or making excuses. When asked to furnish flowers at short
notice for a dinner-party he made no difficulty, but just produced
them. Neither did he complain about the weather; wet or dry, it was
always exactly what his garden needed. All weather to him was Fine
Weather. He believed in his garden, loved it, lived in it, was almost
part of it. To make excuses for it was to make excuses for himself.
WEEDEN was a genius.
But he was mysterious too. He was one-eyed, and the loss endeared him
to the children, relating him also, once or twice removed, to Come-
Back Stumper; it touched their imaginations. Being an artist, too, he
never told them how he lost it, a pitchfork and a sigh were all he
vouchsafed upon the exciting subject. He understood the value of
restraint, and left their minds to supply what details they liked
best.
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