changing._] Is it--er--a good offer? Is Hicks willing to make it worth
while? [_Catching his uncle's astonished eye--apologetically._] Of course,
I know you wouldn't think of--

CATHERINE. I should say not! My home? An offer? _Our_ gardens? I should
say not!

FREDERIK. Mere curiosity on my part, that's all.

PETER. Of course, I understand. Sell out? No indeed. We are thinking of
the next generation.

FREDERIK. Certainly, sir.

PETER. We're the last of the family. The business--that's Peter Grimm. It
will soon be Frederik Grimm. The love for the old gardens is in our blood.

FREDERIK. It is, sir. [_Lays a fond hand on_ PETER'S _shoulder._

PETER. [_Struck._] I have an idea. We'll print the family history in our
new floral almanac.

FREDERIK. [_Suppressing a yawn._] Yes, yes, a very good idea.

PETER. Katie, read it to us and let us hear how it sounds.

CATHERINE. [_Reads._] "In the spring of 1709 there settled on Quassick
Creek, New York State, Johann Grimm, aged twenty-two, husbandman and
vine-dresser, also Johanna, his wife."