Volume I Part 22 (1/2)
”I do not know. Perhaps because it is so delicate in its structure--perhaps because it is so tender. It does not bear being broken from its root.”
”But I think Eleanor is as strong as anybody,” said Julia.
”Don't you remember how ill she was, only from having wetted her feet, last summer?” said Mr. Rhys with perfect gravity.
”Well, what is that?” said Julia, not liking the inference they were coming to.
”That is a little fern that loves the wet. It grows by waterfalls--those are its homes. It grows close to the fall, where it will be constantly watered by the spray from it; sometimes this little half-brother it has, the Oak fern, is found there along with it. They are elegant species.”
”It must be nice to go to the waterfalls and climb up to get them,”
said Julia. ”What do you call these little wet beauties, Mr. Rhys?”
”Polypodies.”
”Polypodies! Now, Mr. Rhys,--O what is this? This is prettiest of all.”
”Yes, one of the very prettiest. I found that in a cave, a wet cave, by the sea. That is the sort of home it likes.”
”In Wales?”
”In Wales I have found it, and elsewhere; in the south of England; but always by the sea; in places where I have seen a great many other beautiful things.”
”By the sea, Mr. Rhys? Why I have been there, and I did not see anything but the waves and the sand and the rocks.”
”You did not know where to look.”
”Where did you look?”
”Under the rocks;--and in them.”
”_In_ the rocks, sir?”
”In their clefts and hollows and caves. In caves which I could only reach in a boat, or by going in at low tide; then I saw things more beautiful than a fairy palace, Julia.”
”What sort of things?”
”Animals--and plants.”
”Beautiful animals?”
”Very beautiful.”
”Well I wish you would take me with you, Mr. Rhys. I would not mind wetting my feet. I will be a Hard fern--not a Lady fern. Eleanor shall be the lady. O Mr. Rhys, won't you hate to leave England?”
”There are plenty of beautiful things where I am going, Julia--if I get well.”
”But the people are so bad!”
”That is why I want to go to them.”