THE LADY IN THE FLOWER-GARDEN 269 
shall not associate with every low person who is forced 
into our neighbourhood/’ 
“As you please,” answered the Buttercup. “You had 
better stay at home and make preparations for your Dutch 
cousins, who, I hear, are coming to visit you.” 
“ Dutch cousins indeed I I think I see myself entertain- 
ing those vulgar persons 1 I desire to be thankful that 
there is no Dutch blood in my veins, madam.” 
The Buttercup smiled a very provoking smile ; and this 
so exasperated the Tulip that she could scarcely speak 
when the Lady made her appearance. 
But the Lady saw that all was not right. She strove to 
make the two regard each other as friends, and told them 
that in her affections they were of equal rank; but they 
refused to become reconciled, and though they dared not 
speak, they threw angry and contemptuous glances at each 
other, and so made the Lady sad. She said to herself, 
“ I expected to find peace and harmony here ; but it is 
far otherwise. Is the fault mine? It grieves me to see 
my Scarlet Pea trailing along upon the ground, making 
acquaintance with the stones and sticks she finds there; 
and the aristocracy of the Tulip disturbs me also. I must 
seek a remedy for all this.” 
The Lady went straight to the Scarlet Pea the next 
time she visited the garden, anl said to her, “ Now, my 
little friend, I don’t like your lying down here in the 
dust. I mean to help you to climb up this delicate frame 
which I have had prepared for you. Then you can look 
all over the garden and breathe the sweet, fresh air. See 
your cousin, the Pink Sweet Pea ! how beautiful and how 
good she is! Would not you like to resemble her?” 
The Scarlet Pea promised to try, and she began to wind 
her arms about the framework which was to be her sup- 
port. How very glad was the Lady then 1 
“ My Pea has a good disposition, I am sure,” she said, 
“ and will soon take her place among the beautiful of my 
garden. But what is this!” she cried, as a great, tall 
Poppy thrust herself right into her very face and eyes. 
.. “Good-morning,” said the Poppy pertly, and putting 
herself directly before the Lady, so that it was impossible 
to pass. “ I have been waiting an hour for an opportunity 
to speak to you; but really, the others take up all the 
, ^ -^9 ■ * 
