" foolishness," a waste of hundreds of bulbs and a 

 silly and a crazy idea! Oh, he said many things he 

 later on wished he had left unsaid ! 

 ^ But my trusting friend seemed almost convinced 

 that, after all, she was to have her coveted planting 

 in bloom at the desired time, but looked a little 

 incredulous when I said ' ' I assure you in less than 

 two weeks you will see the pale green necessary new 

 growth peeping up under that blanket of hay." 

 And one morning when it had all come true, she 

 excitedly telephoned me. I could not resist going 

 right down to see them and there they were, as fine 

 as could be. 



^The following June I saw them abloom and it 

 seemed to me I had never beheld straighter, 

 sturdier or finer Madonnas anywhere than these 

 of that late October planting. 



61 



