26 



upon the two men, determined not to be recognized. But 

 my curiosity was too much for me. 



" What are those flowers ? " 



" Tubes, ma'am." 



" Tubes ? I never saw or heard of them before ! " 



" Tuberoses," suggested Thomas, behind the counter. 



" Are those tuberoses ? I have heard of them, but 

 never saw them before." 



1 < Yes, ma'am," said Mr. McTernan. " There's the double 

 tuberose." 



He then turned out the remainder of his flowers, and 

 afterward handed to the young man, who, as I had now 

 discovered, rejoiced in the name of Thomas, a small slip of 

 paper. Thomas merely glanced at it, and, writing some- 

 thing upon it, gave it back to my travelling companion. All 

 these things I watched with interest, eager to find out all I 

 could in relation to my new trade. But the man only took 

 it and went away toward another part of the store. 



On my way to the cars, I turned over in my mind what 

 I had seen and heard in regard to this to me new 

 flower. 



I wonder if I could not grow tuberoses. Such flowers 

 must be valuable. I wish I had been bright enough to 

 ask the man about them. What is the use of my mis- 

 erable pride? It is always standing in my way. Just 

 because the man was illiterate, and had rough hands, I 

 Lad avoided him. He was neatly but plainly dressed, and 



