"Let me go!" he exclaimed to his companion. "Farewell, philosophy! farewell, science! I have chosen."
To his surprise, he discovered that he was suddenly quite alone in the boat. The philosopher had disappeared,--whether by waxen wings, or an invisible cap, or any of the other numerous contrivances of many-wiled philosophers, he did not stop to consider, but hastened to join Haguna and her companions.
"You are a welcome addition to our company," said Haguna, graciously reaching out her white hand; "but you choose strange companions. An old gray owl flew out of your boat a moment ago, scared to find himself abroad in such a pleasant sunlight. I confess I don't altogether admire your taste, not being an orni"--
She appealed in pretty perplexity to the student to help her out of the difficulty into which she had fallen by her rash attempt at large words.
--"Thologist," added Anthrops, much wondering at these new tricks of the philosopher,--and then again he so much the more applauded his own wisdom in exchanging for her society the company of an old owl.
So all the day long he stayed by her, all the day long he followed her, rowing or walking or dancing, or sitting by her under the willows on the banks of the river. The soft breeze routed her shining hair from its compact masses; it touched his cheek as he knelt beside her to pull up the tough-rooted columbine that resisted her fingers; her fragrant breath mingled with the odor of the sweet-scented violets that he plucked for her; the trailing tresses of the mournful willow, swaying in the breeze, brushed them both; the murmuring water at their feet heard a new tale as it flowed past her, and babbled it to him, adding delicious nonsense of its own, endless variations upon the same sweet theme. How happy he was that day! It came to an end, of course; but its death scattered the seeds of other days, that sprang up in gracious profusion, yielding dear delights of flower and fruit. All over his garden these bright plants grew, gradually triumphing over and expelling the coarser and ruder vegetables.
Nothing but flowers would he cultivate now,--and cared not even that they should be perennials, if only the present blooming were gay and gladsome.