“But a sigh from the Virgin suddenly wafted the petals away and they found their places in the midnight sky again. There they radiated brightness and glory upon all the world and all who would could follow the pointing of the petals and seek and find the Christ. And so to this day the shining golden petals in the night sky point the way to their Lord and King, Christ Jesus.”
“Oh, what a beautiful story, Mrs. Tompkins! I wish you would tell that legend to the scouts.”
“I couldn’t my dear child. I will tell them others, but not this one, as I feel a reverence for all that belongs to Christ, since Robert rose from our sight. I told you because I feel there is the same affinity between you and me as there was between Robert and me, linked together because of our mutual love for flowers.”
At this moment, the merry shouts of the girls in the car, interrupted further conversation and Mrs. Tompkins started for the door. But Norma caught her hand and whispered: “I’ll not call you Mrs. Tompkins, hereafter—you shall be chrysanthemum to me, because you truly are a shining light in the firmament.”
The woman with the thin refined face, and grey hair held both soft girlish hands in her hardened ones and smiled sadly: “And you shall be Mignon for me, hereafter, for truly you soothe away the pain and will heal my sorrow.”
CHAPTER VI
FLOWER DAYS AND LEGENDS.
Frances soon drove the car up to the side porch where the scouts from the house were waiting for the rest of their patrol to join them, and after welcoming Mrs. Tompkins and the three girls, they all started for Solomon’s Seal Camp. On the way past the strip of ground which Norma had had cleared and manured ready to plant Mrs. James was told what Mrs. Tompkins had suggested about fruit and flower bushes from the woods to provide food for bees and birds.
“That’s a splendid idea, and one that we will carry out without delay, Norma,” replied Mrs. James.
“It will take all of us scouts working with you to complete such a large contract on time,” laughed Janet.
“If the trees are meant for the birds and bees, we will have to bear our share of the burden of moving them from the woods, because we are all partners in the bird and bee business, you know, as well as in Sue’s corporation,” added Natalie.