for a few days, to see to his own garden. That would not have mattered much but for the hot-bed he had made in order to coax up some asters and gilly-flowers for the beds in the front yard.
"Who is going to tend the hot-bed while I'm away?" said the old gardener. "You know, Lieutenant, a hot-bed needs constant watching."
"I'll do it myself," the Lieutenant replied; for by that time he thought himself almost a master gardener. He let the old man show him how to air and water the plants.
The morning the gardener left there was bright, strong sunshine. Along in the forenoon the Lieutenant in alarm went up to the house to find his wife. As she was nowhere about he rushed into his sister's room.
"You'll have to come and help me with the hot-bed, Lovisa," he said. Then, remembering that Mamselle Lovisa would not even look at his garden and took no interest whatever in his work, he thought: "Oh, well, it's said now, and she can't do more than refuse."
But instead she eagerly got up and went out with him. Instantly she saw the little plants, which were wilted and drooping, she exclaimed:
"The sun is too strong on them, they must be shaded." Then she found something with which to protect them, and the plants were saved.
The next day the Lieutenant had to attend a school examination. When well on his way he suddenly remembered the hot-bed. There was the same scorch-
