I will, besides, try to convert everything into an artificial help, even the heat and the ashes of my pipe, and lastly, we, or rather you, will keep in reserve the third sucker as our last resource, in case our first two experiments should prove a failure.

In this manner, my dear Rosa, it is impossible that we should not succeed in gaining the hundred thousand guilders for your marriage portion; and how dearly shall we enjoy that supreme happiness of seeing our work brought to a successful issue!" "I know it all now," said Rosa.

"I will bring you the soil to-morrow, and you will choose it for your bulb and for mine.

As to that in which yours is to grow, I shall have several journeys to convey it to you, as I cannot bring much at a time." "There is no hurry for it, dear Rosa; our tulips need not be put into the ground for a month at least.

So you see we have plenty of time before us.