Woodbourne; 'you never saw such
fine grapes and pines.'
'I hear you have undertaken that part of the arrangement, young
ladies,' said Lady Merton.
'Yes,' said Elizabeth; 'but I am afraid we do not know much about the
matter.'
'I am sure I cannot tell what I should do if you did not undertake
it, my dears,' said Mrs. Woodbourne.
'Do not begin thanking us till we have done the deed, Mamma,' said
Elizabeth; 'it may turn out a great deal worse than if we had left it
to the unassisted taste of the maids.'
The four girls continued to arrange the flowers: Elizabeth, inquiring
after many of the plants at Merton Hall; Anne, telling how the myrtle
was prospering, how well the geraniums had flowered, describing a new
fuchsia, and triumphing in the prize which the salpiglossis had
gained from the Horticultural Society; Helen, comparing the flora of
Merton Hall with that of Dykelands; Mrs, Woodbourne, rejoicing in
cuttings to be saved from the branches gathered by Anne's unsparing
hand; and Lady Merton, promising to send her seeds and young plants
by Rupert, when he should return to Oxford.
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