parties of brawling trippers, clouds of
dust, the echo of the drivers' horns, and the continued whirl of wheels;
and on the other--deep bay windows looking on to a lawn of softest
green, winding paths shaded with grand old trees, and, beyond all, a
meadow stretching down to the riverside, where punt and canoe stood
waiting in happy proximity, and clumps of bamboos flourished in eastern
luxuriance.

"Our country house," the girls called the rooms facing south, "Our town
house," those at the front; but though they adored the garden, and spent
every available moment out of doors, the busy high road still held an
attraction of its own. Mrs Rendell had her own entertaining rooms at
the back of the house, but the girls were faithful to the little porch
chamber which had been their property since childhood--a quaint little
den built over the doorway, with a window at each of the three sides,
through which an extended view was afforded of the comings and goings of
the neighbourhood.

"I love this dear little bower," sighed Lilias sentimentally. "There's
something so quaint and old-world about it. I feel like Elaine in her
turret-chamber, looking out upon the great wide world."

"And it's such sport watching the people pass, especially on rainy days
when the wind is high, and they are trying to hold up their dresses, and
carry an umbrella and half a dozen parcels at the same time!" cried Nan
with a relish. "Last Saturday was the very worst day of the year, and
all the good housewives went past to shop. Chrissie and Agatha and I
offered a prize to go to the one who guessed rightly who would have the
muddiest boots. It was lovely watching them! Old Mrs Rowe, clutching
her dress in front, and showing all her ankles, while at the back it was
trailing on the ground; Mrs Smith, stalking like a grenadier, with a
skimpy skirt and snow-shoes a yard long; dear, sweet little Mrs Bruce,
as neat as ever, with not a single splash; and Mrs Booth, splattered
right up to her waist, with boots as white as that rag. I had her name
on my paper, so I got the prize, and spent it in caramels. I'm getting
rather tired of caramels--I've had such a run on them lately. I must
turn to something else for a change."

"You are getting too old to eat sweets, Nan," said Lilias severely.
"You ought to set the children a better example. If all the money you
spend at the confectioner's was put together, you would be surprised to
find how much it wa