“A tulip bed?” repeated Vevi’s mother absently. She was reading the paper and not paying too much attention to the conversation. “I am afraid it is too late for this year, dear.” “Hanny gave me a bag of bulbs yesterday, Mother.” “Why, that’s fine,” approved Mrs. McGuire. “You can wrap them in paper and keep them in a cool place until fall.” “But I want tulips right away,” Vevi insisted. “How can I make them grow fast?” “I’m afraid you can’t, dear. Nurserymen sometimes ‘force’ plants to bring them to flower earlier or out of season. That however, takes special skill and exact temperatures. Fertilizer, of course, helps to make plants develop fast.” “I’d like to force my bulbs,” Vevi announced. “The Brownies have such a nice bed at the library now. But so far it is only bare ground.” “It is too late to plant tulip bulbs this spring,” said Mrs. McGuire. “The Brownies, I am afraid, will have to be satisfied with late flowering plants.” The information disappointed Vevi. After seeing so many beautiful tulips at Windmill Farm, she felt she never would be happy to have the Brownie bed devoted to any other flower. Besides, she was eager to discover if the Golden Beauty culls really would bloom. “Today is the first day of the flower festival,” Mrs. McGuire remarked. “From all I hear, the affair will not be a success.” “I think I will take a book to the library,” Vevi announced. She knew it would give her an excuse to go down town to see what was happening. “Don’t stay long, dear,” Mrs. McGuire advised. Vevi felt very light hearted as she tripped along the street. Colored bunting decorated the lamp posts and hung from overhead wires on Main Street. As Vevi reached the library, a parade went by. Hearing the band music, she paused to watch. The beat and rumble of the drum made her blood race. Not many people were watching the parade, and it did not last long. There were a few floats and several automobiles carrying flags. Almost before Vevi knew it, the procession had ended. “I don’t call that much of a parade,” said a voice directly behind Vevi. She whirled around to see Connie and Jane standing behind her. It was Jane who had spoken. Both girls wore their Brownie uniforms. “My, you startled me!” Vevi laughed. “What brought you girls downtown?” “The flower festival,” explained Connie. “Only so far it doesn’t amount to anything.” “Hardly anyone is attending,” declared Jane. “My father says Mr. Piff has made a mess of the show. Everyone is dissatisfied.” The girls went into the library with Vevi who returned her books. They stopped to chat with Miss Mohr a moment, noticing a bouquet of beautiful scarlet tulips on her desk. “I can guess where those came from!” laughed Connie. “Windmill Farm!” “That is right,” agreed the librarian. “Peter brought them over himself early this morning.”