nd so much, even though their guardian had made it plain that they
had plenty to spend; for it did not seem quite right to use so much
on one's self when so many were in need; but gradually her viewpoint
began to change. It was true that these things were only relative, and
what seemed much to her was little to another. Perhaps coming directly
from her exceedingly limited sphere she was no fit judge of what was
right and necessary. And of course there was always the fact that good
things lasted, and were continually beautiful if well chosen. Also
much good might be done to a large circle of outsiders by a beautiful
home.

So Julia Cloud, because the matter of expenditure was not, after all,
in her hands, decided just to have a good time and enjoy picking out
these wonderful things, interfering only where she thought the article
the children selected was not worth buying, or was foolish and
useless. But on the whole they got along beautifully, and agreed most
marvellously about what fitted the little pink-and-white stone
"villa," as Leslie had named it. "'Cloud Villa,' that's what we'll
call it," she cried one day in sudden inspiration; and so it was
called thereafter in loving jest.

Two days more of hard work, and their list was nearly finished. By
this time they were almost weary of continually trying to decide which
thing to get. A bewildering jumble of French gray bedsteads and
mahogany tables and dining-room chairs swung around in their minds
when they went to sleep at night, and smilingly met their waking
thoughts. They were beginning to long for the time when they could sit
down in the dining-room chairs, and get acquainted with their beds and
tables, and feel at home.

"I wish we could get in by Sunday," grumbled Allison. "It's fierce
hanging around this hotel with nothing to do."

"Well, why not?" assented Julia Cloud as she buttered her breakfast
muffin. "The bedding was promised to come out this morning, and I
don't see why we couldn't make up the beds and sleep there to-night,
although I don't know whether we can get the gas-range connected in
time to do much cooking."

"Oh, we can come back here for our meals till next week," declared
Leslie. "Then we'll have time to get the dishes unpacked and washed
and put in that lovely china-closet. Perhaps we'll be able to get at
that to-day. The curtains are every blessed one up, inside and out,
now; and, if we succeed in getting that maid that you heard of, wh