indeed,--that is, I like a regular bouquet, cut off and tied up, to carry
to a party; but as to all this tending and fussing which is needful to
keep them growing, I have no gifts in that line."

3. "Make yourself easy as to that, Kate," said Florence, with a
smile; "I have no intention of calling upon your talent; I have an
asylum in view for my favorite."

4. "Oh, then you know just what I was going to say. Mrs. Marshall, I
presume, has been speaking to you; she was here yesterday, and I was quite
pathetic upon the subject; telling her the loss your favorite would
sustain, and so forth; and she said how delighted she would be to have it
in her greenhouse; it is in such a fine state now, so full of buds. I told
her I knew you would like to give it to her; you are so fond of Mrs.
Marshall, you know."

5. "Now, Kate, I am sorry, but I have otherwise engaged."

"Whom can it be to? you have so few intimates here."

"Oh, it is only one of my odd fancies."

"But do tell me, Florence."

"Well, cousin, you know the little pale girl to whom we give sewing?"

6. "What! little Mary Stephens? How absurd, Florence! This is just another
of your motherly, old-maidish ways; dressing dolls for poor children,
making bonnets, and knitting socks for all the little dirty babies in the
neighborhood. I do believe you have made more calls in those two vile,