Everybody who came to see us had to be shown the flame-flower. Visitors were conducted to the apple tree in solemn procession, and presented. They peered over the fence and said, "A-ah!" just as if they knew all about it. Perhaps some of them did. Perhaps some of them had tried to grow it in their own gardens. As November came on and the air grew cold, the question whether the flame-flower should winter abroad became insistent. After much thought it was moved to the shrubbery on the southern side of the house, where it leant against a laburnum until April. With the spring it returned home, seemingly stronger for the change; but the thought of winter was too much for it, and in October it was ordered south again. For the next three years it was constantly trying different climates and testing various diets. Though it was touch and go with it all this time our faith was strong, our courage unshaken. June, 1908, found it in the gravel-pit. It seemed our only hope.... And in the August of that year I went and stayed with the Atherleys. . . . . . . One morning at breakfast I challenged Miss Atherley to an immediate game of tennis. "Not directly after," said Mrs Atherley, "it's so bad for you. Besides, we must just plant our flame-flower first." I dropped my knife and fork and gazed at her open-mouthed. "Plant your--WHAT?" I managed to say at last. "Flame-flower. Do you know it? John brought one down last night--it looks so pretty growing up anything." "It won't take a moment," said Miss Atherley, "and then I'll beat you." "But--but you mustn't--you--you mustn't talk like THAT about it," I stammered." Th-that's not the way to talk about a flame-flower." "Why, what's wrong?" "You're just going to plant it! Before you play tennis! It isn't a--a BUTTERCUP! You can't do it like that." "Oh, but do give us any hints--we shall be only too grateful." "Hints! Just going to plant it!" I repeated, getting more and more indignant. "I--I suppose Sir Christopher Wren s-said to his wife at breakfast one morning, 'I've just got to design St Paul's Cathedral, dear, and then I'll come and play tennis with you. If you can give me any hints--'" "Is it really so difficult?" asked Mrs Atherley. "We've seen lots of it in Scotland." "In Scotland, yes. Not in the South of England." I paused, and then added, "WE have one." "What soil is yours? Do you plant it very deep? Do they like a lot of water?" These and other technical points were put to me at once. "Those are mere details of horticulture," I said. "What I am protesting against is the whole spirit in which you approach the business--the light-hearted way in which you assume that you can support a flame-flower. You have to be a very superior family indeed to have a flame-flower growing in your garden." They laughed. They thought I was joking. "Well, we're going to plant it now, anyhow," said Miss Atherley. "Come along and help us."