“Oh；” I said。 “Well； yes。 That is what I was thinking。 Although now I don't know。 Do you think
it would look better to just take them out？”
He shook his head and said； “They're Australian tea shrubs。 They'll prune up nicely。” And
with that； he put on his gloves and started clipping。
At first I didn't know what to say to this man。 It was very strange to be getting his help； but
from the way he was acting； it was as though I shouldn't
have thought a thing of it。 Clip…clip…clip； he went； like this was something he really enjoyed
doing。
Then I remembered what Bryce had said about our yard； and suddenly I knew why he was
there。
“What's the matter？” he asked； throwing his clippings into my pile。 “Did I cut it down too far？”
“N…no。”
“Then why the look？” he asked。 “I don't mean to make you unfortable。 I just thought you
might like a little help。”
“Well； I don't。 I can do this by myself。”
He laughed and said； “Oh； I have no doubt about that；” then got back to clipping。 “You see；
Julianna； I read about you in the paper； and I've lived
across the street from you for over a year now。 It's easy to see that you're a very petent
person。”
inute； but I found myself throwing the clippings into the pile
harder and harder。 And before long I couldn't stand it。 I
just couldn't stand it！ I spun on him and said； “You're here because you feel bad about