The next morning after breakfast the Governor led her down the garden to the gate in the edge of yew. He carried in his hand the basket she had seen the day before, containing seeds. But whereas yesterday they had looked green, to-day they had a silvery-white appearance, toning to a liquid aspect as of water in the centre. Beyond the edge stretched a square plot of uncultivated land bordered by willow trees, and at the further side a little hut of wood, just in the shelter of the forest. But here the sun did not shine so brightly. The garden of Pleasure was left behind. This was the field of _Work_. The Governor led the way across to the hut. It consisted of two rooms, a living- and a sleeping-room, and moreover a little cellar, where she discovered all kinds of garden implements and spades, and one large fork that looked as if it were for digging heavy soil. He put the basket down upon the table, and then he said: “This is your little house. These are the seeds to be sown in the strip of land you see without. You must dig and sow, and then wait for the harvest. The books upon the shelves you may study in your leisure, but you must grasp each subject thoroughly before your time of apprenticeship is over.” So saying, without any word of advice or caution he left the hut and crossed to the gate that led to the garden. Rosalie was left alone. But though on one side lay a great and unknown forest, she experienced no fear at being left alone, even though when she looked out she noticed how uncompromisingly high the edge appeared, shutting her quite away from sight or sound of the pretty wayside house. But just then a voice attracted her attention. “Well! well!” said it, most harshly, “what’s the first thing that a farmer does before he sows his seed?” “I don’t know, I’m sure,” answered Rosalie; “I’ve never lived in the country,” and looked round to find the speaker. And there on the doorstep was a frog sitting, looking up at her half contemplatively, half pityingly. Its colours were beautifully striped, green and white. On its head these colours blended brilliantly, taking away some of the staring effect of the wide-open eyes. “Don’t know?” it answered. “Well! well! You’ll have to dig. Get a fork and dig. Well! well! best to know nothing than to know too much.” Rosalie went as she was told, and brought the big fork she had noticed. It certainly was very big, and looked aggressive. “Do you mean this?” she asked. “What else should I mean? Now then, set to work. The quicker you begin, the quicker you’ll finish.” “But—but what must I do with it?” “Grasp it in both hands. Stick it in the ground, and push it in with your foot. Well! well! the sooner you learn, the sooner you’ll know.” “I won’t!” said Rosalie. “It’s a man’s work; why, it’s digging. I know I was never intended to do that.” The frog, by way of showing its disgust, gave a contemptuous croak.