We travelled a great distance, for the most part without argument. For you might say that we were a learned group of people with much to say about the world, but on the other hand that’s by the by. What united us was the desire to see the tree. It was this desire, or at the very least our expectation of doing so that kept our spirits high during the long journey. For a long time there was only the road and the conversations that we had with each other. It was not long before the close of day that eventually we reached the garden and found the entrance. This was surrounded on either side by a very high stone wall. An imposing wall, you might say. By that time, the sun was low and when we peered through the gate we could not see much of what lay behind the wall. The gate was closed. And when we tried to open it, we found that it was firmly locked. This wasn’t what we’d expected. Next to the gate was a metal box attached to the stone wall. The box had a button on it and what appeared to be the grill of a speaker. For a moment, we all stood stock still. Before us, our long black shadows extended into the garden. Outside the garden there was no one to be seen. We decided that one of us should press the button. At first there was no sound. Then, a crackle. Then, the sound of an intake of breath. The voice was clear but seemed to be coming from a great distance. The garden is closed, the voice said. We wanted to know when we could enter and see the tree. However, the voice gave no immediate explanation of why the gate was locked or when it might be open. There was a pause, then another crackle from the speaker. The tree, the voice went on, is the result of many years of scientific and technical development. This kind of development has proved to be extremely expensive. As you all may well appreciate, these costs need to be recouped. The voice went on to say that as a result there was a patent that would last for fifteen years at the very minimum. At the mention of the patent, we turned to look at Pomona. This was because she was versed in the law. She took a step forward, moving closer to the speaker and then turned to look back at us. The glare of the sun made her squint and then close her eyes. The voice continued to explain that consequently, while the patent was in force, admittance to see the tree would be priced accordingly. The voice went on to point out that at certain times of the year such as autumn, the leaves on the tree change colour and that as a result these may be the subject of a different patent. The light of the day was beginning to fade. There is an important thing you should consider, the voice said, and it is this. Trees do occur in the natural environment, and you might want to consider this alternative option when deciding your next course of action. Pomona raised her hand to signal to the rest of us that she wanted to address the voice with a question. She had put one hand out and clutched the gate. We were all standing very still. Grouped around the gate it might have appeared to anyone passing that we were patiently waiting in the afterglow of the day, to be admitted to the garden.