270 F OVULAR TALES OF FLOV/ERS 
time, and I never get a chance to come near you/' The 
Lady thought this no great misfortune; but she spoke 
kindly to the Poppy, and tried to proceed on her way. 
But the Poppy had a dozen foolish questions to ask, and 
as many sage opinions to express; and the Lady was kept 
standing in the hot sun while the talkative flower un- 
burdened her mind of all that had interested it during the 
last week. 
When the Lady at last made her escape, she turned to 
cast a glance at her Scarlet Pea ere she passed onward. 
Alas for her sanguine hopes concerning it ! Alas for the 
flattering unction which she had laid to her soul in regard 
to the “ good disposition ’ ' of the object of her interest ! 
The Scarlet Pea, notwithstanding her fair promises and 
ready smiles and good intentions, had relapsed to her 
former grovelling position, and was at this moment so 
ardently engaged in making love to a certain crooked 
stick of her neighbourhood as to be quite unconscious of 
the sad and half-despairing look which rested upon her. 
The Lady sighed, and passed on; and as she passed, the 
Moss Rose looked her ready sympathy, and seemed to 
sigh too. 
A fine Scotch Thistle next attracted the notice of the 
Lady; and she went smilingly towards her, making plea- 
sant inquiries about her health and comfort. The Thistle, 
armed with sharp points, had a “ who*<iare-meddle-me ?" 
sort of look; and her voice and manner, when she spoke 
to the Lady, were rough and harsh. It was to those only 
who hfad known and understood the Thistle that she was 
an object of interest; for her warlike air and repelling 
armour drove far from her those who sought to approach. 
On this occasion she spoke roughly to the Lady, and put 
on a more fierce expression than usual; but the moment 
she had passed, our Scotch Thistle lost no time in bow- 
ing down her stately head to kiss the very dust which 
bore the impress of the little foot which was as dear t© 
her as her own life. 
The heart of the Lady was gladdened that day by an 
unexpected sight — that of the Tulip and the Buttercup in 
friendly intercourse ! The Tulip being indisposed by the 
effect of the intense cold, the really warm and kind heart 
of her lowly neighbour softened towards her; and her 
