Chapter 38
The Happy FamilyTHE largest green leaf in this country is certainly the
burdock-leaf. If you hold it in front of you, it is large enough
for an apron; and if you hold it over your head, it is almost as
good as an umbrella, it is so wonderfully large. A burdock never
grows alone; where it grows, there are many more, and it is a
splendid sight; and all this splendor is good for snails. The great
white snails, which grand people in olden times used to have made
into fricassees; and when they had eaten them, they would say, "O,
what a delicious dish!" for these people really thought them good;
and these snails lived on burdock-leaves, and for them the burdock
was planted.
There was once an old estate where no one now lived to
require snails; indeed, the owners had all d
