106 A GARDEN DIARY 



doxas, and daffodils, and tulips, and Iris Alata, 

 and many others." 



" Ah, potted bulbs. They're poor sort of 

 things generally, don't you think ? Some people, 

 I believe, like them though." 



" We have Cyclamen Coum in flower out of 

 doors," I added ; garden vanity, or more probably 

 deflected ill-humour, arousing in me a sudden 

 spirit of violent horticultural rivalry. 



" Oh, you have, have you ? " this in a tone 

 of somewhat enhanced respect. " Don't you 

 shelter it at all?" 



" Not in the least ! " I replied contemptuously. 

 " We grow it out in the copse ; on the stones ; 

 in all directions. It is a perfect weed with us. 

 No weather seems to make the slightest 

 difference." 



I am really surprised that I did not assert 

 that we had Orchids and Bougainvillaeas growing 

 out of doors in the snow ! It is probable that 

 I should have done so in another five minutes, 

 for irritation sometimes takes the oddest forms. 

 Luckily for my veracity our roads just then 

 diverged ; my horticultural acquaintance getting 

 out at the next station, and I continuing on my 

 way to Guildford. 



I don't think I have ever in my life felt more 

 rufHed, more thoroughly exasperated than I was 

 by that most uncalled-for remark about the 

 Tommies. Had they been all individually my 



