Черный тюльпан
The Tulip-fancier and his Neighbour
Andthusitwasnotforthesakeofpaintedtulips,butforrealones,thatVanBaerletookfromhimhalfadegreeofwarmth.AndthusVanBaerlewastohavethemostadmirablyfittedaspect,and,besides,alarge,airy,andwellventilatedchamberwheretopreservehisbulbsandseedlings;whilehe,Boxtel,hadbeenobligedtogiveupforthispurposehisbedroom,and,lesthissleepinginthesameapartmentmightinjurehisbulbsandseedlings,hadtakenuphisabodeinamiserablegarret.
Boxtel,then,wastohavenextdoortohimarivalandsuccessfulcompetitor;andhisrival,insteadofbeingsomeunknown,obscuregardener,wasthegodsonofMynheerCorneliusdeWitt,thatistosay,acelebrity.
Boxtel,asthereadermaysee,wasnotpossessedofthespiritofPorus,who,onbeingconqueredbyAlexander,consoledhimselfwiththecelebrityofhisconqueror.
AndnowifVanBaerleproducedanewtulip,andnamedittheJohndeWitt,afterhavingnamedonetheCornelius?Itwasindeedenoughtochokeonewithrage.
ThusBoxtel,withjealousforeboding,becametheprophetofhisownmisfortune.And,afterhavingmadethismelancholydiscovery,hepassedthemostwretchednightimaginable.
