“Yes, I’ve been thinking about it, and I know just the place,” the librarian replied. “It will be too late for spring bulbs. However, once the ground is prepared, you can set out other plants.” “I would rather have tulips,” Vevi said, burying her nose in the crimson bouquet she had gathered. “They are the most beautiful flowers in the world.” “I would like a bed of nothing but Golden Beauties,” declared Connie. “How soon can we have our flower bed?” Sunny Davidson asked. “I will have the plot spaded and raked tomorrow so that the ground is even and workable,” the librarian promised. “If you speak to Mrs. Langley about it, I am sure she will give you plants from her estate.” “I’d like pansies,” Rosemary said. “And forget-me-nots.” Sunny thought the bed should be planted with marigolds or late-flowering plants such as asters or chrysanthemums. Connie favored geraniums, while Jane thought an old fashioned herb garden would be the most interesting. “I just want tulips,” Vevi said again. “The Brownies should have a tulip garden while the festival is going on.” “I wish we had thought of it earlier,” Miss Gordon replied. “Since we didn’t, I am afraid you will have to forget the tulip bed, Vevi.” After gathering armfuls of tulips at Windmill Farm, the girls set the stems in tubs of water so they would not wilt. Just then Mr. Van Der Lann came in from the field. He spoke to everyone and bestowed a very special smile upon Miss Mohr. “I am driving to the Langley estate now in my truck,” he said. “I will be glad to take the tubs of flowers there for you.” “May we ride too?” Jane asked. “Yes, I have plenty of room,” he assured her. “Jump in.” Mr. Van Der Lann was carrying a load of potted plants to the estate. The children had never seen so many beautiful tulips. “It will be fun riding with the flowers!” cried Vevi. “I want to sit beside the Golden Beauty.” The choice tulip, however, was not among the other potted plants in the back of the truck. Vevi was very worried about it until she discovered that the nurseryman was carrying his best tulips in a special box on the front seat. At the Langley estate dozens of gardeners were hard at work preparing the grounds for the coming affair. The grass was being cut with big power mowers. All of the hedges had been neatly trimmed. One worker was edging the walks. Mr. Van Der Lann drove his truck close to the greenhouse. While he was lifting out his flowers, the Brownies went on ahead into the building. “My, it’s hot in here!” Vevi exclaimed. “It takes my breath away.” The Brownies spied Mrs. Langley telling workmen how to arrange different flower exhibits. Mr. Piff was there too. The girls saw him start to put up a poster advertising the Rosedale tulip festival. “No! No! Not in here, of all places!” Mrs. Langley exclaimed. “You will ruin the artistic effect.”