Besides，myfatherhadagreatmanytheories;hepridedhimselfonhisconservativeopinions;hethoughttheusualAmericanlaisser—
allerineducationwasaveryvulgarpractice，andthatchildrenwerenottogrowuplikedustythornsbythewayside。\"Soyousee，\"
Pickeringwenton，smilingandblushing，andyetwithsomethingoftheironyofvainregret，\"Iamaregulargardenplant。Ihavebeenwatchedandwateredandpruned，andifthereisanyvirtueintendingIoughttotaketheprizeataflowershow。Somethreeyearsagomyfather’shealthbrokedown，andhewaskeptverymuchwithindoors。
So，althoughIwasamangrown，Ilivedaltogetherathome。IfIwasoutofhissightforaquarterofanhourhesentsomeoneafterme。
Hehadsevereattacksofneuralgia，andheusedtositathiswindow，baskinginthesun。Hekeptanopera—glassathand，andwhenIwasoutinthegardenheusedtowatchmewithit。AfewdaysbeforehisdeathIwastwenty—sevenyearsold，andthemostinnocentyouth，I