.. | | | | *_Alice Wilson_ | Clear lemon-yellow. | { Very curious. The best of the | | { yellow varieties. | | _Bicolor_ | Orange. | A poor form. | | _Brevifolium_ | Dirty orange, spotted. | A poor form. | | | | { Inferior to the other deep red *_Incomparabilis_ | Deep red, spotted. | { varieties, but bearing larger | | { blossoms. | | --------------------+----------------------------------+------------------------------------ [Illustration] THE HOUSE WITH THE VERANDAH. BY ISABELLA FYVIE MAYO, Author of “Other People’s Stairs,” “Her Object in Life,” etc. CHAPTER VIII. A FALL IN THE KITCHEN. Lucy felt wonderfully cheered and strengthened as Christmas approached. She was working hard and successfully. She had completed her sketches and had received payment for them, and she meant to give herself a little holiday from Christmas Eve until after the New Year, so that she might go fresh and bright to take her class at the Institute, which would re-open on January 3rd. “Giving herself holiday” only signified that Lucy hoped to enjoy a week of her old life as Hugh’s mother and as general housewife. Like many who have special gifts, Lucy really enjoyed house-work and needlework. She intended in this interval to so overhaul book-cases, china cupboard and linen closet, that she might afterwards apply herself to her “professional” work with the contented assurance that her household would run on for awhile without other care than the worthy Mrs. Morison seemed able and willing to give. Lucy felt that she had indeed found a treasure! She had not yet despatched any letter to Charlie, as the _Slains Castle_ would not touch at its first port for fully three months, and it was not yet quite time for the mail which would take a letter there to await his arrival. But though the letter was not despatched, it was begun. It had been begun the day after she got Charlie’s farewell telegram, and a few lines had been added every night.