Черный тюльпан
The Opening of the Flower
Yourletterisadmirable!Icouldnothavewrittenitwithsuchbeautifulsimplicity.Youwillgivetothecommitteealltheinformationthatwillberequiredofyou.Theywillthenknowhowthetuliphasbeengrown,howmuchcareandanxiety,andhowmanysleeplessnights,ithascost.Butforthepresentnotaminutemustbelost.Themessenger!themessenger!”
“What’sthenameofthePresident?”
“Givemetheletter,Iwilldirectit.Oh,heisverywellknown:itisMynheervanSystens,theburgomasterofHaarlem;giveittome,Rosa,giveittome.”
AndwithatremblinghandCorneliuswrotetheaddress,—
“ToMynheerPetervanSystens,Burgomaster,andPresidentoftheHorticulturalSocietyofHaarlem.”
“Andnow,Rosa,go,go,”saidCornelius,“andletusimploretheprotectionofGod,whohassokindlywatchedoverusuntilnow.”
