illa; and,
once more changing the straight lines to crooked ones, the conventional
formalist becomes the unconventional, free-and-easy South-westerner,
who may stand for Swiss or any other go-as-you-please style."

"It is midnight and the fire is out; let's adjourn."

[Illustration.]

CHAPTER IX.

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE--BLINDS AND BESSIE.

The next demonstration from the architect was a pencil drawing of the
floor plans, submitted for inspection and criticism. Concerning these
he wrote to Jill's entire satisfaction. "From many of my clients I
should expect the first question would be, 'Will a house built in this
shape look well outside?' It is not necessary to remind you that at
this stage of the proceedings such an inquiry is wholly irrelevant. The
interior arrangements should be made without a thought of the exterior
effect, precisely as if the house were to wear the ring of Gyges and be
forever invisible to outsiders. There are several points, however, on
which I await further instructions----"

"What's the use of having an architect," Jack inquired, "if you've got
to keep instructing him all the time?"

----"provided you wish to give instructions," Jill continued reading.
"There is often a misunderstanding between architect and client, and I
wish to avoid it in the present case by saying at the outset that while
there are many things which, in my opinion, should be referred to you,
I am ready to decide them for you if you wish me to do so; but even in
such cases I prefer to set before you the arguments pro and con, after
which, if you still desire it, I shall accept the arbitration. This is
not a rule that works both ways or applies universally, for while
referring to you matters relating to use and expenditure, and at the
same time standing ready to decide them for you, I cannot promise to
accept your advice in matters of construction and design. I trust I
have not yet reached the fossiliferous state of mind that prevents my
listening with sincere respect to candid suggestions, even from those
who are not fairly competent to give advice; but on these points you
must not expect me to follow your taste and judgment in opposition to
my own, even if you do pay the bills. When your physician prescribes
arsenic and you inform him that you shall give it to your poodle and
take strychnine instead, he will doubtless infer that his services are
no longer desired; he will know that while he might be able to k