THE FLOWER MARKET H7 



tubed night blossoms. See, the white ipomea, 

 that is called the Moon Flower from its blooming 

 time, is already waiting on your arbour for its 

 guests, and the honeysuckle buds are breathing 

 their first best perfume." 



44 Honeysuckles are open all day long," said 

 Tommy- A line. 



" They stay open in the day, it is true, but 

 their first freshness and sweetness has passed by. 

 That gleams and wafts through the darkness to 

 lead their messengers, the Hawk Moths, to them. 

 Hark ! I hear them coming now." 



There was a whirring, even louder than the 

 winging of the Hummingbird, and several dusky 

 shapes hovered above the vine, dark and mysteri- 

 ous as bats. 



44 Please keep still one minute, so that I can see 

 you," pleaded Tommy-Anne. 44 1 have heard so 

 much about you from Ruby-throat." 



44 And nothing good, I'll warrant," said the 

 Hawk Moth, poising for a second on the back of 

 her hand, so that she saw that he was broader 

 than her palm, with wings striped and spotted 

 with gray and black, while a row of orange spots 

 dotted the sides of his hairy body like tiny lamps. 

 In fact, near by he looked fierce and hawk-like 

 enough to deserve his name. 



