It was all in vain. To look on Margarita dead was more than
I could bear. I was told that only her body of clay was dead--the
beautiful body we had come to say good bye to; that her soul--she
herself, our loved Margarita--was alive and happy, far, far happier
than any person could ever be on this earth; that when her end was
near she had smiled very sweetly, and assured them that all fear of
death had left her--that God was taking her to Himself. Even this was
not enough to make me face the awful sight of Margarita dead; the very
thought of it was an intolerable weight on my heart; but it was not
grief that gave me this sensation, much as I grieved; it was solely my
fear of death.
CHAPTER IV
THE PLANTATION
Living with trees--Winter violets--The house is made habitable--Red
willow--Scissor-tail and carrion-hawk--Lombardy poplars-Black acacia--
Other trees--The foss or moat--Rats--A trial of strength with an
armadillo--Opossums living with a snake--Alfalfa field and butterflies
--Cane brake---Weeds and fennel--Peach trees in blossom--Paroquets--
Singing of a field finch--Concert-singing in birds--Old John--Cow-
birds' singing--Arrival of summer migrants.
I remember--better than any orchard, grove, or wood I have ever
entered or seen, do I remember that shady oasis of trees at my new
home on the illimitable grassy plain.
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