Черный тюльпан
The Hatred of a Tulip-fancier
WhilstCorneliuswasweeding,manuring,wateringhisbeds,whilst,kneelingontheturfborder,heanalysedeveryveinofthefloweringtulips,andmeditatedonthemodificationswhichmightbeeffectedbycrossesofcolourorotherwise,Boxtel,concealedbehindasmallsycamorewhichhehadtrainedatthetopofthepartitionwallintheshapeofafan,watched,withhiseyesstartingfromtheirsocketsandwithfoamingmouth,everystepandeverygestureofhisneighbour;andwheneverhethoughthesawhimlookhappy,ordescriedasmileonhislips,oraflashofcontentmentglisteninginhiseyes,hepouredouttowardshimsuchavolleyofmaledictionsandfuriousthreatsastomakeitindeedamatterofwonderthatthisvenomousbreathofenvyandhatreddidnotcarryablightontheinnocentflowerswhichhadexcitedit.
Whentheevilspirithasoncetakenholdoftheheartofman,iturgeshimon,withoutlettinghimstop.ThusBoxtelsoonwasnolongercontentwithseeingVanBaerle.Hewantedtoseehisflowers,too;hehadthefeelingsofanartist,themaster-pieceofarivalengrossedhisinterest.
Hethereforeboughtatelescope,whichenabledhimtowatchasaccuratelyasdidtheownerhimselfeveryprogressivedevelopmentoftheflower,fromthemomentwhen,inthefirstyear,itspaleseed-leafbeginstopeepfromtheground,tothatgloriousone,when,afterfiveyears,itspetalsatlastrevealthehiddentreasuresofitschalice.
