"Good Heaven, what imprudence! What is it?
In what sort of soil is it?
In what aspect?
Good or bad?
Is there no risk of having it filched by that detestable Jacob ?" "There is no danger of its being stolen," said Rosa, "unless Jacob will force the door of my chamber." "Oh! then it is with you in your bedroom ?" said Cornelius, somewhat relieved.

"But in what soil?
in what vessel?
You don't let it grow, I hope, in water like those good ladies of Haarlem and Dort, who imagine that water could replace the earth ?" "You may make yourself comfortable on that score," said Rosa, smiling; "your bulb is not growing in water." "I breathe again." "It is in a good, sound stone pot, just about the size of the jug in which you had planted yours.

The soil is composed of three parts of common mould, taken from the best spot of the garden, and one of the sweepings of the road.

I have heard you and that detestable Jacob, as you call him, so often talk about what is the soil best fitted for growing tulips, that I know it as well as the first gardener of Haarlem." "And now what is the aspect, Rosa ?" "At present it has the sun all day long,--that is to say when the sun shines.

But when it once peeps out of the ground, I shall do as you have done here, dear Mynheer Cornelius: I shall put it out of my window on the eastern side from eight in the morning until eleven and in my window towards the west from three to five in the afternoon." "That's it! that's it!" cried Cornelius; "and you are a perfect gardener, my pretty Rosa.