By breakfast the hydrangea on the porch had opened a very small school. The clusters practiced greeting the railing first, then waiting for a guest to nod, and only after that would they unfurl one tidy circle of bloom, no larger than a teacup saucer.
We asked at the kiosk on the corner. "I came up with a bag of rolls," said Mrs. Elloway, "and the nearest puff would not move until I said good morning. Then it opened a ring so politely I almost curtsied back."
The porch keeper left a note in a careful hand: Please do not hurry the balls. They are still counting. Quiet compliments may be left on the mat.
The next morning a sparrow returned and sat until a second circle was ready, then left a twig as thanks and flew to the eaves to wait its turn again.