OR, HOW I BECAME A FLORIST. 109 



We worked hard all day, and at evening the place present- 

 ed this appearance : All the heliotrope had been pulled up 

 and thrown away. The roses had been cut down to bare 

 stems. The azaleas were not materially injured. All the 

 ericas, azaleas and epacris were brought in and placed upon 

 the borders in the west house. The flowers upon them were in- 

 jured, though the plants were not hurt much. They would do 

 for next winter's use. The bouvardia were in full bloom, 

 but the flowers were quite spoiled. The plants were cut 

 down, and the roots that remained in the pots were stored 

 in the cellar. By this change one house was cleared, and 

 the remaining plants gathered together in the other house. 

 The empty house was shut up and the heat cut off to save 

 fuel. The violet house was also closed. As I went in to 

 cut off the heat, I noticed that all the plants were quite 

 black and dead. Then I understood why Mr. Felix 

 was so anxious to exclude the bright rays of the sun, and 

 why I was directed to water the plants we hoped to save. 

 The water took the frost out slowly, and the shade prevent- 

 ed a too sudden change from cold to heat. 



The next day the news was all over the village, and the 

 whole place rang with one loud cry, " I told you so ! I told 

 you so ! " 



As I had no flowers to send to the city by my son, 

 his absence was at once noted. In a day or two Mr. McTer- 

 nan called. 



"It's froze, are ye? I'm sorry for ye. I declare it '3 

 10 



