Minturn. "They are perfect little animals."
"Oh Mrs. Minturn!" cried Leslie amazed. "Then you simply must take them in
charge and save them; they are so fine looking, while you're their mother,
you are!"
"It means giving up life as I have known it always, just about
everything!" said Mrs. Minturn.
"Look at yourself now!" said Leslie. "I should think you would be glad to
give up your present state."
"Leslie, do you think it wrong to gather those orchids?"
"I think it unpardonable sin to _exterminate_ them," answered Leslie. "If
you have any reason for wanting a few, and merely gather the flowers,
leaving the roots to spread and bloom another year, I should say take
them."
"Will you wait in the car until I go back?" she asked.
"But I wish to be alone," said Mrs. Minturn.
"You're not afraid? You won't become lost?"
"I am not afraid, and I will not lose myself," said Mrs. Minturn. "Must I
hurry?"
"Take all the time you want," said Leslie.
It was mid-afternoon when she returned, her hands filled with a dripping
moss ball in which she had embedded the stems of a mass of feathery pink-
fringed orchids.
Pages:
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200