22 A BOOK ABOUT ROSES 



From a lady who lives near Nottingham, and 

 goes much among the poorer classes, I heard a far 

 more striking instance of this floral devotion than 

 from the florists themselves. While conversing with 

 the wife of a mechanic during the coldest period 

 of a recent winter, she observed that the parental 

 bed appeared to be scantily and insufficiently 

 clothed, and she inquired if there were no more 

 blankets in the house. ' Yes, ma am, we've another,' 



replied the housewife ; ' but ' and here she 



paused. 



' But what } ' said the lady. 



' It is not at home, ma'am.' 



' Surely, surely it's not in pawn ? ' 



'Oh dear no, ma'am; Tom has only just took it 

 — ^just took it ' 



' Well, Bessie, took it where } ' 



' Please, ma'am, he took it — took it — took it to 

 keep the frost out of the greenhouse ; and please, 

 ma'am, we don't want it, and we're quite hot in 

 bed.' 



They ought to be presented with a golden 

 warming-pan, set with brilliants, and filled with 

 fifty-pound Bank of England notes. 



I took my leave of the brotherhood at last, 

 delighted with their gardens and delighted with 

 them, but not much delighted with myself. I 



