OR, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 71 



Then we counted the plants I had watered. They amount- 

 ed to nearly five hundred. 



" But where does the water come from ? " 



"It is pumped up in a tank on the roof of the shed to 

 give it ' head ' or force. I have only to turn it on, and 

 away it goes, as you see. When I have finished one house, 1 

 drag the hose along to the next." 



All these things and many more were shown to us, and, 

 after spending an hour very pleasantly, Mr. Felix drove me 

 home by another road. Just before we reached the gate, 

 he said : 



" Now, Mrs. Oilman, if you really intend to build a 

 greenhouse, you should be about it at once. We may have 

 a frost any night." 



" Yes, sir, I appreciate the necessity of haste, and must 

 consult my carpenter at once in regard to the cost, that 

 point will decide the whole question." 



" The cost of such houses as we have just seen is not 

 great. Can I help you in any other particular ? " 



" Thank you, sir, you can indeed." 



" Well, have your carpenter on hand to-morrow evening, 

 and I will drop in and show him how to draw his plans and 

 estimate the cost." 



That very evening I went to Mr. Sawplane's shop, and 

 said to him' : 



"Mr. Sawplane, I propose to build a greenhouse. Will 

 you please call at my house to-morrow evening about it? " 



