Out of doors are signs of spring. The buds on the trees look full, and
some are beginning to burst. But there is very little life as yet.
[Illustration: [Hyacinth]]
Only in the hyacinth bed it is different, for there the hyacinths have
waked up; their stiff leaves have opened the door of the earth for the
blossoms to come out. The flower clusters are nearly ready to bloom, but
the buds are still green. The tall stem has lifted them up into the air
and sunlight, and, although the air is still cold, they continue to
grow.
Soon the green buds undergo a change. The topmost one on each flower
cluster softens to a tender blue or pink.
The green buds grow lovely as they stand on their stems in the sun.
Delicate tints steal over them, the green color fades away, and many
colors take its place.
They open into charming flowers and give forth a delightful fragrance.
The whole garden is sweet with the odor of hyacinths, and we feel that
the beautiful summer has sent us a messenger.
[Illustration: [Hyacinth]]