“They lost and made fortunes buying and selling them,” added Hanny. “I will tell you about it.”
Forgetting the cause of her tears, the little Dutch girl began to describe the strange period in history.
She related that in 1634 the entire Dutch population traded in tulip bulbs. At first everyone made money. Tulips kept selling for higher and higher prices.
“Then suddenly, people came to their senses,” Hanny went on. “Instead of paying thousands of florins for a single bulb, no one wanted them at any price. People lost all their money.”
“I hope it won’t be that way here,” remarked Rosemary anxiously. “My father says that many nurserymen have invested heavily in tulips this year.”
“People always will buy tulip bulbs,” said Hanny. “But they will not pay high prices any more except for very special bulbs.”
“Can’t your uncle raise a special bulb?” Vevi questioned. “One that’s better than any other tulip in the world?”
Hanny smiled and said she did not think the Brownies knew how difficult it was to develop a fine, new tulip.
“Uncle Peter has one though,” she admitted. “If it should catch the fancy of the public, he might yet make his fortune. Then I could stay in America!”
“Does this new tulip have a name?” inquired Connie.