Page:The Lark - E Nesbit, 1922.djvu/69

70 shall have the run of the gardens and you shall have the key of the garden room. That's the room you tumbled into," he explained, turning to Jane, "only of course you didn't see it. It's painted gas-green. Perhaps it will show off the flowers. You can put a board up at the gate: 'The Misses Jane and Lucy, Florists.' By the way, what are your full names?"

"Jane Quested—Lucilla Craye," they told him.

"Well, as a matter of fact, I shouldn't put up your names if I were you. Just put 'Cut Flowers, Fresh Vegetables and Fruit. Oh yes, there'll be vegetables if you employ a gardener. And there'll be fruit in any case. The garden room is at the end of that wing that comes nearly to the gate, so it will be quite convenient for all purposes,"

"You are good!" said Lucilla. "Oh, you are! And I was so frightened of you!"

But Jane said, "It is very, very good of you. And what rent are we to pay?"

He looked at her curiously.

"I hadn't thought about that," he said. "Suppose we say ten per cent. on your sales?"

"How much exactly is that?" she asked. "I mean, if we sold a pound's worth of flowers, what would the rent be?"

"Two shillings," he told her, smiling.

"Then thank you," said Jane; "that seems quite fair, because, of course, we shall have to pay the gardener and to spend most of our time there if we're to make anything out of it."

"I think you will make something out of it," he said. "You seem to me to have some aptitude for business. Well, my name is Rochester—James Rochester. I'll send you the keys of the gate and the garden room, and a letter giving you formal permission to sell the garden produce. I am just off to Madrid. There is a book in the library there which I have to consult. And now I'll wish you good afternoon, and good luck!"