build'! You see those wall', those floor'? Every wall they are not of
lath an' plazter, like to-day; they are of solid plank' of a thicknezz of
two-inch'--and from Kentucky!"

The guest recognized the second-hand lumber of broken-up flatboats.

"Tha'z a genuine antique, that 'ouse! Sometime' we think we ought to
egspose that 'ouse, to those tourist', admission ten cent'." [A gay
laugh.]

"But tha'z only when Aline want' to compel us to buy some new dresses.
And tha'z pritty appropriate, that antique 'ouse, for two sizter'
themselve' pritty antique--ha, ha, ha!--as well as their anceztors."

"I fancy they're from 'way back," said Chester.

"We are granddaughter' of two _emigres_ of the Revolution. The other two
they were decapitalize' on that gui'otine. Yet, still, ad the same time,
we don't _feel_ antique. We don't feel mo' than ten year'! And
especially when we are showing those souvenir' of our in-_fancy_. And
there is nothing we love like that."

"Aline, _chere_, doubtlezz Mr. Chezter will be very please' to see yo'
li'l' dress of baptism! Long time befo', that was also for me, and my
sizter. That has the lace and embro'derie of a hundred years aggo, that
li'l' dress of baptism. Show him that! Oh, that is no trouble, that is
a _dil_-ight! and if you are please' to enjoy that we'll show you our two
doll', age' forty-three!--bride an' bri'groom. Go, _you_, Yvonne, fedge
them."

The sister rose but lingered: "Mr. Chezter, you will egscuse if that
bride an' groom don't look pritty fresh; biccause eighteen seventy-three
they have not change' their clothingg!"

"_Cherie_," said Aline, "I think first we better read the manuscript, and
_then_."

After a breath of hesitation--"Yes! read firs' and _then_. Alway'
businezz biffo'!"

All went into the garden; not the part Chester had come through, but
another only a trifle less pinched, at the back of the house. A few
steps of straight path led them through its stiff ranks of larkspurs,
carnations, and the like, to a bower of honeysuckle enclosing two rough
wooden benches that faced each other across a six-by-nine goldfish pool.
There they had hardly taken seats when Cupid reappeared bearing to the
visitor, on a silver tray, the manuscript.

It was not opened and dived into with the fine flurry of the modern
stage. Its recipient took time to praise the bower and pool, and the
sisters laughed gratefully, clutched hands, and merrily called their
niec