h drove on and on; Mr Fluke was evidently not given to
loquacity, and Owen had plenty of time to indulge in his own
reflections. He wondered what sort of place his newly found relative
was taking him to. He had not been prepossessed with the appearance of
the office, and he concluded that Mr Fluke's dwelling-house would
somewhat resemble it. The coach at last emerged from the crowded
streets into a region of trees and hedge-rows, and in a short time
stopped in front of an old-fashioned red brick house, with a high wall
apparently surrounding a garden behind it. At that moment the door of
the house opened, and a tall thin female in a mob cap appeared.

"Bless me!" she exclaimed, as she advanced across the narrow space
between the gate and the doorway; "and so he has come!"

She eyed Owen narrowly as she spoke. Simon Fluke declining her help as
he stepped out, pointed to Owen's box, which the coachman, who had got
down from his seat, handed to her. Mr Fluke having paid the fare,
about which there was no demur, he knowing the distance to an inch, led
the way into the house, followed by Owen, the old woman, carrying his
box, bringing up the rear.

"I have brought him, Kezia, as I said I possibly might. Do you look
after him; let us have supper in a quarter of an hour, for I am hungry,
and the boy I am sure is."

The house wore a greater air of comfort than Owen expected to find. In
the oak panelled parlour into which Mr Fluke led him a cheerful fire
burned brightly, although the spring was well advanced, while a white
cloth was spread ready for supper.

"Now come into the garden," said his host, who had entered the room,
apparently merely to deposit his umbrella. A glass door opened out on
some steps which led down into a large garden, laid out in beds in which
bloomed a number of beautiful flowers, such as Owen had never before
seen in his life, and on one side, extending along the wall, was a large
greenhouse.

"Do you know what those are, boy?" asked Mr Fluke. "Every one of those
flowers are worth a hundred times its weight in gold. They are all
choice and rare tulips, I may say the choicest and rarest in the
kingdom. I prize them above precious stones, for what ruby or sapphire
can be compared to them for beauty and elegance? You will learn in time
to appreciate them, whatever you do now."

"I am sure I shall, and I think they are very beautiful!" said Owen.

Mr Fluke made up for his former silence