AT A ROSE-SHOW. 269 



This done, you may put back your lids, just rais- 

 ing them at the front a couple of inches with wooden 

 props ; and then you may survey (as I propose to 

 do in my final chapter) the exhibitors, the judges, 

 and the Rose-show itself 



CHAPTER XV. 



AT A ROSE-SHOW. 



As the young knight in the olden time, having 

 reached *^ y^ place ordayned and appointed to 

 trye y^ bittermoste by stroke of battle," became 

 naturally curious concerning his adversaries, and, 

 after caring for his horse, and looking to his ar- 

 mor, went forth to inspect the Flower of Chivalry, 

 and the lists, in which that flower would shortly 

 form a bed of " Love-Hes-bleeding" — so the ex- 

 hibitor, having finally arranged his Roses, strolls 

 through the glowing aisles of the show. Soon ex- 

 perience will teach him to survey calmly, and to 

 guage accurately, the forces of his foe ; but now 

 he but glances nervously, furtively, at the scene 

 around him, like a new boy at some public 

 school. The sight brings him hopes and fears* 

 Now a hurried sidelong look shows him flowers 

 inferior to his own, and he is elate, happy. Now 



