ce's confusion was too funny.

"I think you were in either a maze of syntax, or of building-lots; I
scarcely know which," remarked the Madame, evidently overflowing.

"Well, there are two houses--that is sure. One is for me, and the
other"--she looked all about with a beautiful smile, nodded brightly at
Larry who appeared opportunely in the doorway, and laid a tender hand on
Madame's knee--"the other is for ma mere, if she will only be good
enough to live close beside her naughty baby, and help her along in
life."

"Oh, Joyce! Joyce," cried that lady, catching the hand between her own,
while with a sharp little sound Camille sprang to her feet, Dorette
meanwhile breaking into a laugh almost like Dodo's for innocent joy.

"I knew you, Joyce!" said she, and Madame, caressing the girl's hand,
added tremulously, "My dear, dear child!"

"And so I'm no longer to be proprietor and boss," cried Larry, coming
forward. "Oh, I've heard you plotting and planning. Mother Bonnivel, are
you going to turn us Driscolls out of doors, now you've come into your
palace?"

"Oh dear, no palace! Just a comfortable home with room enough to swing
all Dodo's kittens in," laughed Joyce, to keep back the tears, for the
dear mother's joy upset her.

"I should dread a palace, cherie," said the latter, then turned to the
young husband of her daughter, whom she loved as a son. "We've had no
mine and thine so far, Larrimer, and we won't begin now."

"Oh!" was Camille's outburst, "how perfectly charming it is to have it
come from Joyce. If it was anybody else mother could never be induced to
take it. Do tell us more, Joycey love--how far out is Littleton by rail?
Could Larry live there and go in to his work? Could I go on with my
music and cadet teaching?"

"It is forty minutes ride by rail. You saw the town before anything was
done and in early spring. You would not know it now. It is green where
it was brown, clean where it was dirty, trim where it was shabby. It
begins to look like a great park, and the cottages are really
ornamental, as well as comfortable. Our homes are to overlook the town
and face the park at its broad end--you know it is triangular in
shape--and they are already at the decorating stage. I did not want to
go further without letting the rest of you have your say."

"Oh, delicious!" cried Camille. "I do think planning out pretty rooms is
perfectly fascinating. Can't you tell us something how they are built?"

Joyce laug