Hyacinth (Suitors of Seattle) Read Online Free PDF Page B

to buy you roses, but when I said they were for you, the florist insisted that you would only be interested in receiving hyacinths.  I'm not certain why."   He was confused about it but had gratefully accepted the advice of the florist.
    Hyacinth smiled, taking the flowers from his outstretched hand and inhaling deeply of their scent.  "My sisters and I are well known around town for only wanting our own flowers."
    "Which means what?"
    Hyacinth blinked at him.  The man's books were sheer genius, but he had no clue about anything else in the entire world from what she could tell.  "Well, Rose loves roses.  Lily loves lilies.  And so on down the line."
    Lawrence's eyes widened in understanding.  "Oh, I see!  That's why you told me I should guess which flower you liked best.  I guess it makes sense that you would feel an affinity with the flower you were named after."
    Hyacinth walked to the kitchen with Lawrence trailing behind her, putting the flowers in water and carrying them into the parlor where the entire family could enjoy them.  She placed them on the low coffee table in the center of the room, straightening up to introduce Lawrence.  "This is my father, Fred Sullivan."
    Lawrence held his hand out while Fred got to his feet and shook the younger man's hand.  "It's nice to meet you, Lawrence."
    "The pleasure is all mine, Mr. Sullivan."
    Hyacinth smiled, nodding to Iris who was sitting on the sofa, holding a squirrel in her arms.  "That's my sister, Iris, who says she's going to be a doctor someday."  She couldn't help but hope Iris would be a doctor.  She wasn't passionate about women's rights like Daisy was, but she did like the idea of women being able to work in professions that had traditionally belonged to only men.
    Lawrence smiled down at the pretty girl, who looked to be around fifteen.  "I'm sure you'll make a wonderful nurse."
    Iris looked at Lawrence with fire in her eyes.  "Maybe you should have your ears examined, Lawrence.  My sister just told you I plan to be a doctor, not a nurse." 
    Lawrence's grin stretched across his face.  "My apologies, Miss Sullivan.  I'm certain you'll make a fabulous doctor."
    Iris nodded regally.  "Yes, I will."  She put the squirrel into a small cage, shutting the door.  "I'll feed you in a little while, baby."
    Lawrence gave Hyacinth a questioning look, and she decided to take pity on him.  "His mother was killed, so Iris is raising him.  He had almost starved to death when she found him so she's been feeding him with a bottle ever since.  I'm sure he could eat nuts like a normal squirrel by now, but Iris hasn't given him that option yet."  She nodded to a girl who looked to be a bit older than Iris.  "That's Violet.  She's our artist."
    Lawrence nodded, smiling at her.  "I'd love to see your artwork someday, Violet."
    "You already have," Violet said very seriously.
    "I have?" Where would he have seen the work of a young lady?
    Violet nodded to the painting on the wall above the sofa.  Lawrence had assumed the painting was done by a professional.  "That's lovely."  It was a landscape portrait of the beach and ocean at sunset.  He would have readily paid for such a beautiful painting.  "Have you had an art show yet?"
    Violet shook her head.  "Not yet.  I hope to soon, though.  I'll finish school in a year and a half, and then I'll do what I can to have my art shown in the best galleries in all of New York."
    "Why New York?  Why not Seattle?" Lawrence asked.
    "How would anyone ever see my work if the exhibit were in Seattle?  No, it has to be New York.  That's where all the good galleries are."
    Lawrence knew nothing of art, so he didn't comment, but he thought he might be able to talk to someone at his publishing house about the girl's artwork.  Surely someone would know the right person to talk to.  He wouldn't say anything until he found someone who could help her though.   "I see."
    Mary stood then.  "It's good to see you again,