THE HYACINTH. 71 



" How little is necessary," said the mother, " to give joy to the 

 heart, as long as it remains true to Nature and simplicity." 



Emily moistened the young plant with water, and smiled on it 

 with delight. The father observed her and said, " this is right my 

 child ! Sunshine must follow the rain and dew. The beam of the 

 smiling eye gives value to every good deed that the hand performs. 

 Your young plant will doubtless thrive Emily." 



Now the leaves came out of the earth, completely formed and 

 shining with lovely green. And EmlTy's joy was increased. " Oh," 

 said she with an overflowing heart, "I will be satisfied if it never 

 blooms." " Contented soul !" said the father. " It is just that more 

 should be given you than you venture to hope for. Such is the 

 reward of modest contentment." And he shewed her the bud of 

 the flower that lay concealed among the leaves. 



Emily's care and affection increased every day as the flower 

 gradually unfolded. With her tender hands she sprinkled water 

 upon it, inquiring whether it were enough or too much, and whether 

 it might not possibly be too cold for the plant. Whenever the Sun 

 looked through the windo\^', she placed it with a light step, in its 

 rays, like the gentle breeze of the morning that plays around the 

 Rose. "Oh, sweet union of the tenderest love and innocence!" 

 said the mother. 



Emily's flower occupied her latest thoughts at night, and her first 

 thoughts in the morning. In her dreams she often saw her Hya- 

 cinth in full bloom, and when she discovered the next morning that 

 it had not blown, and that she had been deceived, she seemed per- 

 fectly unconcerned, and said, smiling, " it may still come to pass." 

 Sometimes she asked her father in what colors the flower would be 

 dressed. And when she had mentioned every shade, she would 

 say in a cheerful tone, " it is all one to me, if it only blooms ; " 

 " Sweet fantasy " said the father, " how beautifully dost thou play 

 around innocent love and youthful hope ! " 



At length the flower bloomed. Twelve bells had opened at the 



