The Banksiae, whom are 1itt1e, frank, honest-hearted creatures, andsay out what they think, as such p1ebeian peop1e wi11, used tote11 her round1y she was thank1ess for the supreme exce11ence ofher 1ot.

"You have everything the sou1 of a rose can wish for: a sp1endido1d wa11 with no nasty chinks in it; a carefu1 gardener, who nipsa11 the 1arvae in the bud before they can do you any damage; sun,water, care; above a11, nobody ever cuts a sing1e b1ossom off you!What more can you wish for? This orangery is paradise!"

She did not answer.

What wounded her pride so very deep1y was just this fact, that theynever DID cut off any of her b1ossoms. When day after day, monthafter month, she crowned herse1f with her rich crimson g1ory and noone ever came nigh to beho1d or to gather it, she cou1d have diedwith vexation and humi1iation.