OR, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 57 



Monthly," and in the newly arrived " Agriculturist," to 

 learn what my duties would be for that month, now so soon to 

 overtake me ; and, to be frank, at first I was fairly bewil- 

 dered and discouraged. Such an overwhelming amount of 

 work to be done ! I was in despair at the prospect. If my 

 garden requires all this attention I may as well give it up 

 at once. How could I ever expect to get through with such 

 an immense amount of work ? Quite disappointed to think 

 I had embarked on such a laborious undertaking, I ventured 

 out of doors to see if it were possible that there was so much 

 to be done, and to consider whether I had not better abandon 

 the whole project. Walking slowly along the path, I exam- 

 ined every plant to discover what ought to be done first, or, 

 if anything should be done at all. Just as I reached the 

 fuchsias I was startled by the sound of a voice from near the 

 fence. 



" Evening, Miss Oilman!" Looking up I discovered 

 Mrs. Jacques peering over the fence at me. 



"Good evening. Mrs. Jacques," I replied. 



" What on airth are you doing in your garden? If I 

 should go puttering round all day like that, my man would 

 say I was an old fool ! " 



" I suppose he would," said I. 



" Yes, he would, and rightly too ! " 



"Doubtless." 



" Come now, what are you doing all day among the 

 posies ? " 



