interesting to know, but something less bewildering than
visions might be more in keeping with ordinary life. Very well, then,
Miss Mary, order what you please, and tell your sister to do the same,
and let the bills come in to me. You can run up to town for the day
whenever it is necessary, and no doubt you will enjoy the variety. Is
there anything more you wish to say?"

He took up the newspaper in sign of dismissal, but Mollie sat her
ground, flushing and knitting her brows.

"Uncle Bernard, you are an angel, and I'm ever so much obliged, but
please mightn't we have a fixed sum? It would be so much more
comfortable! If it is left like this, we should not know what you would
think reasonable or extravagant!"

"And in the other case, I should not know it of you! No; it must be
left entirely to your discretion. Get what you please, and as much as
you please. I make no restrictions. As I have said before, money is no
object to me, but it is my great aim at present to understand your
position as to it."

"I understand, but it's very awkward!" sighed Mollie. Her forehead was
puckered with thought; she stroked her soft little chin in thoughtful
fashion. "I should like to please you, but I am so completely in the
dark. A man's ideas are so different from a girl's. If I get all I
think necessary, you may think me extravagant!"

"Very possibly I may."

"And if I get less than the best, you might think me mean."

"Very possibly again."

Mollie made an involuntary gesture of impatience, then laughed and
tossed her head.

"Uncle Bernard, it is hopeless to try to understand you. There is only
one thing to be done; since I don't know how to please you, I must take
extra good care to please myself."

"A most sensible conclusion! I congratulate you upon it. I have,
however, one request to make. It is my wish that you and your sister
should be independent of each other; each acting exactly as she thinks
fit, without reference to the other's wishes. Is there anything more
that you wish to say? If not, may I suggest that I am generally left
free from interruption after lunch?"

"I'll never come again--I promise I won't, but there is a lot I should
like to say if you would let me. I'd like to thank you and tell you how
much fun and happiness we shall get out of your generosity; but, I
suppose, if I did you would hate it, and call it gush. The best thing I
can do is to go away at once; but you can't prev