16 



ing I was obliged to get up quite early, in order to cut 

 them in time for the early train. By working very hard 

 and fast I managed to get a box full, carefully omitting the 

 petunias and marigolds. 



When I opened my box on the counter, in the flower 

 store, I found many of my flowers had wilted. Quite mor- 

 tified at the wretched appearance they presented, I laid 

 them before the man, expecting he would condemn the 

 whole of them this time. 



As soon as he saw them he took up a watering-pot, and 

 fairly deluged them with water. 



"You cut them in the sunlight," said he. "If you 

 wish to have them fresh, you must cut them the evening 

 before." Much wondering at this, I took my money and 

 went home. This time I found I only had a dollar and a 

 half. So much for not knowing that flowers must not be 

 cut in the morning. However, the experience was well 

 worth the cost. After breakfast, I took out my sewing and 

 sat down to think over my new business. If I could go out 

 in my garden every day, and in a few moments cut enough 

 flowers to support me through that day, I should be well 

 off; for all the remainder of the day I could be busy about 

 something else. But could I do this ? Would not the gar- 

 den require some attention ? I would go out and see. Suit- 

 ing the action to the word, I put on my sun-bonnet, and 

 started out to inspect. The first things I noticed were the 

 weeds. Yes, weeds, plenty of them. Surely this will not 



