The Count of Monte Cristo

Back Forward Menu

of the garden, and upon which were stationed a frog and a toad, who,
from antipathy, no doubt, always remained on the two opposite sides of
the basin. There was not a blade of grass to be seen in the paths, or
a weed in the flower-beds; no fine lady ever trained and watered her
geraniums, her cacti, and her rhododendrons, with more pains than this
hitherto unseen gardener bestowed upon his little enclosure. Monte
Cristo stopped after having closed the gate and fastened the string to
the nail, and cast a look around.

"The man at the telegraph," said he, "must either engage a gardener or
devote himself passionately to agriculture." Suddenly he struck against
something crouching behind a wheelbarrow filled with leaves; the
something rose, uttering an exclamation of astonishment, and Monte
Cristo found himself facing a man about fifty years old, who was
plucking strawberries, which he was placing upon grape leaves. He had
twelve leaves and about as many strawberries, which, on rising suddenly,
he let fall from his hand. "You are gathering your crop, sir?" said