“Oh, I am!”

He turned and looked at her with a new expression, the respect of the expert for an expert’s abilities.

“You have made a study of flowers?”

“Yes.”

“Of course you must have done. I ought to know that.”

Her colour grew richer.

“Mr. Canterton, I don’t think I have ever had such praise. I mean, praise that I valued. I love flowers so much, and you know them so intimately.”

“That we understand them together.”

He almost added, “and each other.”