Sequel to "Ripe Figs"

Summer was at an end and Babette was longing for some company. She remembered that Maman-Nainaine has promised her a trip to the Toussaint to see Tante Frosine when the chrysanthemums were in bloom.

Daily she strolled in the garden, tending to the dark green plants and looking for signs of bloom. Sighing, she came away disappointed. She felt the restlessness come upon her and she pondered Maman-Nainaine's patience. Perhaps, she thought, patience was learned over time, like the changing of the season's took time.

Time seemed to pass slowly, but one morning -much to her surprise and delight - orange blooms covered the garden. Babette thought that the beauty of the flowers was well worth waiting for.

The next morning -when Maman-Nainaine came down to breakfast in her usual stately way- Babette presented her with a porcelin vase full of chrysanthemum blooms. "Ah," said Maman, " "I see that the chrysanthemums have bloomed early this year." "Oh," said Babette, "I think so too."

"Babette,"said Maman, "we shall leave for Toussaint within the week." 'But the next visit shall be from your cousins and Tante Frosine when the holly is in bloom."