“I wonder how many different kinds of plants are known,” said Mary Frances to Eleanor.
“About 120,000,” answered Jack, who overheard from his pulpit. “I wish we could show you all the different flower families, and tell you about them, but as we haven’t time, we will explain about just a few more. Bet, will you begin?”
Then Bouncing Bet began to speak in her sweet musical voice.
“The beans and peas you eat belong to the same family as the clover. It is the Pulse family. The cranberry and the honeysuckle and the rhododendron and trailing arbutus are of the Heath family.”
“And may I ask,” interrupted Mary Frances, “to what family you belong?”
“And Jack?” added Eleanor, eagerly.
“Thank you for the questions, dear children,” smiled the delighted little fairy. “I will tell you: Jack-in-the-Pulpit belongs to the Arum family. Calla lily and——”
Here the fairy looked at him and giggled. “Shall I tell them, Jack?” she asked.
“Go ahead,” replied Jack a little grimly. “Maybe they better hold their noses while you mention that other member of my family,” he suggested.