ooks of it? The girls
nowadays indulge in such exaggerated statements that one never can tell
what they DO mean. It wasn't so in my young days. THEN a girl did not
say she LOVED turnips, in just the same tone as she might have said she
loved her mother or her Savior."

Anne's conscience bore her up.

"I really do love it," she said gently. "I've loved it ever since I saw
it last fall. My two college chums and I want to keep house next year
instead of boarding, so we are looking for a little place to rent; and
when I saw that this house was to let I was so happy."

"If you love it, you can have it," said Miss Patty. "Maria and I decided
today that we would not let it after all, because we did not like any of
the people who have wanted it. We don't HAVE to let it. We can afford to
go to Europe even if we don't let it. It would help us out, but not for
gold will I let my home pass into the possession of such people as have
come here and looked at it. YOU are different. I believe you do love it
and will be good to it. You can have it."

"If--if we can afford to pay what you ask for it," hesitated Anne.

Miss Patty named the amount required. Anne and Priscilla looked at each
other. Priscilla shook her head.

"I'm afraid we can't afford quite so much," said Anne, choking back her
disappointment. "You see, we are only college girls and we are poor."

"What were you thinking you could afford?" demanded Miss Patty, ceasing
not to knit.

Anne named her amount. Miss Patty nodded gravely.

"That will do. As I told you, it is not strictly necessary that we
should let it at all. We are not rich, but we have enough to go to
Europe on. I have never been in Europe in my life, and never expected or
wanted to go. But my niece there, Maria Spofford, has taken a fancy
to go. Now, you know a young person like Maria can't go globetrotting
alone."

"No--I--I suppose not," murmured Anne, seeing that Miss Patty was quite
solemnly in earnest.

"Of course not. So I have to go along to look after her. I expect to
enjoy it, too; I'm seventy years old, but I'm not tired of living yet.
I daresay I'd have gone to Europe before if the idea had occurred to me.
We shall be away for two years, perhaps three. We sail in June and
we shall send you the key, and leave all in order for you to take
possession when you choose. We shall pack away a few things we prize
especially, but all the rest will be left."

"Will you leave the china dogs?" aske