verity83: (data books)
[personal profile] verity83
Okay, I have to post the entire passage now, because I'm still laughing about it this morning.



It was not until [Psmith] had entered a florist's shop on the way to the tryst that it was borne in upon him that the adventure was going to have its drawbacks. The first of these was the chrysanthemum. Preoccupied with the rest of the communication, Psmith, when he had read the letter, had not given much thought to the decoration which it would be necessary for him to wear; and it was only when, in reply to his demand for a chrysanthemum, the florist came forward, almost hidden, like the army at Dunsinane, behind what looked like a small shrubbery, that he realised what he, a correct and fastidious dresser, was up against.

"Is that a chrysanthemum?"

"Yes, sir. Pink chrysanthemum."

"One?"

"Yes, sir. One pink chrysanthemum."

Psmith regarded the repellent object with disfavour through his eyeglass. Then, having placed it in his buttonhole, he proceeded on his way, feeling like some wild thing peering through the undergrowth. The distressing shrub completely spoiled his walk.

***

Okay, so what was going through my mind as I read this was something along these lines: "Chrysanthemum. Oh, those are pretty. Wait. They're kind of big."

Date: 2009-07-22 07:09 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladybeth.livejournal.com
This just makes me think of The Curse of teh Golden Flower. Lets just say there are ALOT of chrysanthemums in that movie. At least I believe that is the flower they use. It is according to the subtitles I was watching.

Date: 2009-07-22 08:57 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] butterbobbin.livejournal.com
Apparently in Italy it's THE funeral flower, and considered bad luck to give someone one - at least the white ones are. I believe white roses are also funeral flowers over there, or were at one time.

Date: 2009-07-23 01:26 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] ladybeth.livejournal.com
Interesting. Its in contrast to here, where black is a grieving color.

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