96 AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND 



them, but lie did not wish to ask me depending on 

 my itching for talking and that I would tell him what 

 he wanted to know without asking, but by that time 

 I had made some progress in the study of the " human 

 heart," and I guessed! by his looks what was ferment- 

 ing in his drains and I acted accordingly. I made up 

 my mind he would not know one single name unless 

 he should ask me twice or more. I suppose we went 

 three times to and fro to look at all the plants he wished 

 to know. It is rather tedious to use so many words for 

 such a trifle, but I want to edify you whether you will 

 or not, nolens-volens. I had (a variegated plant) a 

 variety of a common English weed Coltsfoot. It looked 

 very pretty as it was ; he saw it although it was some- 

 what out of the way. He said first, it is very pretty. 

 " John has it too." Do you know who was John f No ! 

 nor I either, but I guessed, I like to guess, especially 

 when I am sure, the second time he passed by he said 

 that plant will take in New York, but no progress had 

 been done in getting the name. I was dumb as a snail 

 and I did not draw my horns ; the third time he said : 

 could you spare me one, and what-do-you-call-it ? "Well, 

 I thought you told me John had it f If so it would be 

 a great deal better to get it from him, I have not many. 

 Well, he said, I would rather get it from you, send me. 

 one with the other plants I have selected. Yes, I will do 

 it. Then I told him; "What the devil possessed you 



