The 'Mother of the Flower'
(who, after a long course of boot-kissing mutes, doesn't get on
with English servants) has another amusement. There is a small
lake in the Rectory grounds in which is a little island. Here she
has put up a reed fence round a laurustinus bush which flowers at
the same time of year as did the Holy Flower, and within this reed
fence she sits whenever the weather will allow, as I believe going
through 'the rites of the Flower.' At least when I called upon her
there one day, in a boat, I found her wearing a white robe and
singing some mystical native song."
Many years have gone by since then. Both Brother John and his wife
have departed to their rest and their strange story, the strangest
almost of all stories, is practically forgotten. Stephen, whose father
has also departed, is a prosperous baronet and rather heavy member of
Parliament and magistrate, the father of many fine children, for the
Miss Hope of old days has proved as fruitful as a daughter of the
Goddess of Fertility, for that was the "Mother's" real office, ought
to be.
Pages:
574
575
576
577
578
579
580
581
582
583
584
585
586
587
588
589
590
591
592
593
594
595
596
597
598