It is as if they were the pure in heart, who had ascended into His holy hill.”
“Where did you find them, Mr. Wesley?”
“Under the pines, by the brook. It is hardly time for them, but that is a sheltered spot, where the sun shines all day. I will take you there as soon as you can go with safety.”
“Do you know,” mused Florence, “it seems odd that the first English ship anchoring in Plymouth harbor should have been called the Mayflower? Do they have these flowers in England?”
“No, Miss Amory. It would perhaps sound strange to you to hear people speak of a ‘branch of mayflowers,’ but by that name the English usually mean the hawthorn, which flowers in May. And it is a wonderfully beautiful sight, for England seems at that time to be fairly covered with blossoms, the hawthorns are so plentiful.”
“This is ‘trailing arbutus,’ is it not?”
“Yes; except—pardon me—with the accent on the first syllable. But I am becoming pedantic,” he added, with a smile. “Miss Amory, you once told Aunt ’Lisbeth you would like to be read to, did you not?”
Florence felt the color in her cheeks, but said simply, “Yes, I should enjoy it very much.”