As they worked together, it became plain that Niggle was now the better of the two at ordering his time and getting things done. Oddly enough, it was Niggle who became most absorbed in building and gardening, while Parish often wandered about looking at trees, and especially at the Tree. One day Niggle was busy planting a quickset hedge, and Parish was lying on the grass near by, looking attentively at a beautiful and shapely little yellow flower growing in the green turf. Niggle had put a lot of them among the roots of his Tree long ago. Suddenly Parish looked up: his face was glistening in the sun, and he was smiling. 'This is grand!' he said. 'I oughtn't to be here, really. Thank you for putting in a word for me.' 'Nonsense,' said Niggle. 'I don't remember what I said, but anyway it was not nearly enough.' 'Oh yes, it was,' said Parish. 'It got me out a lot sooner. That Second Voice, you know: he had me sent here; he said you had asked to see me. I owe it to you.' 'No. You owe it to the Second Voice,' said Niggle. 'We both do.'

Work·Collaboration·Friendship·Gratitude·Help