XXIV. Toadflax

After Columbine came the two little lads, Valerian and Yarrow, and then baby Marjoram. At the least one's naming, their grandmother was heard to heave a great sigh of relief, and the older siblings giggled.

“She was afraid you would call it 'Toadflax',” Columbine said as she held her tiny sister for the first time.

“Where would she get such an idea?” their dad said. Petal glanced at the two lads, who were looking very innocent indeed, and gazing intently upon the new addition.

“Grandmum takes some odd notions sometimes,” she said smiling beatifically upon her family.