ensorious."

She ignored his remark and turned to the business in hand.

"My mother and I," she said, "have of course left the Manor House. We
are in lodgings now and looking for a permanent abode near London. The
idea of a residence at Cropstone Wood appeals to my mother. She has
friends in the neighborhood."

Jacob inclined his head.

"I assure you the Estate is everything that we claim for it."

"Most of the enquiries I have made have been satisfactorily answered,"
she admitted. "I have found only one person who has had any criticism
to make. He says that, before buying property there, one ought to have
definite information about the water and lighting."

"He is a very sensible man," Jacob agreed.

"I have come here to ask about them."

"The water and lighting," Jacob announced, "will be undertaken by the
Cropstone Wood, Water and Electric Light Company, a private enterprise
close at hand. The charges will be normal and the supply adequate."

"Thank you," the girl said. "If you are sure of that it is all I came
to ascertain."

She rose to her feet. Jacob was desperately unwilling to let her go.

"Any direct transactions, of course, are undertaken with the city
office," he explained, "but if you will accept a letter from me to the
manager, he will see that your application is promptly dealt with, and
that you have all the choice of site that is possible. There is, as
you may know, a great demand for the land."

"Thank you," she replied, "I will not trouble you."

"Then again," he went on, "there is the question of whether you want
simply to buy the land and employ your own builder, or place the
contract with Littleham, who has an office on the Estate. My advice
to you would be to go to Littleham. He can show you a dozen plans of
various sized residences, he has a stock of material close at hand--"

"I am very much obliged," she interrupted. "My mother and I have
already decided upon one of Mr. Littleham's cottages. It was simply
because we found his answers as regards the water and electric
lighting a little indefinite, that I decided to come to you."

"Indefinite?" Jacob murmured.

"Yes. He told us that the water and lighting were to be supplied by
the private company you spoke of, but he seemed to have no idea as to
what price they would be likely to charge."

Jacob inclined his head thoughtfully.

"I think you may rest assured," he told her, "that the charge will be
normal."

She turned away