udge and Mrs. Whiting and Mary Louise were terrified
for fear a bone might slip in Don's foot, or some revengeful friend or
relative of Oka Sayye lie in wait for us. They won't hear of our going
any more. I go every Saturday and take Donald for a very careful drive
over a smooth road with the Bear Cat cursing our rate of speed all the
way. All the fun's spoiled for all three of us."

"Think I would be any good as a substitute when it comes to field work?"
inquired Peter casually. "I have looked at your desert garden so much I
would know a Cotyledon if I saw it. I believe I could learn."

"You wouldn't have time to bother," objected Linda. "You're a man, with
a man's business to transact in the world. You have to hustle and earn
money to pay for the bridge and changing the brook."

"But I had money to pay for the brook and the bridge before I agreed to
them," said Peter.

"Well, then," said Linda, "you should begin to hunt old mahogany and
rugs."

"I hadn't intended to," said Peter; "if they are to be old, I won't have
to do more than to ship them. In storage in Virginia there are some very
wonderful old mahogany and rosewood and rugs and bric-a-brac enough to
furnish the house I am building. The stuff belonged to a little old aunt
of mine who left it to me in her will, and it was with those things
in mind that I began my house. The plans and finishing will fit that
furniture beautifully."

"Why, you lucky individual!" said Linda. "Nowhere in the world is there
more beautiful furniture than in some of those old homes in Virginia.
There are old Flemish and Dutch and British and Italian pieces that
came into this country on early sailing vessels for the aristocrats. You
don't mean that kind of stuff, do you, Peter?"

"That is precisely the kind of stuff I do mean," answered Peter.

"Why Peter, if you have furniture like that," cried Linda, "then all you
need is Mary Louise."

"Linda," said Peter soberly, "you are trespassing on delicate ground
again. You selected one wife for me and your plan didn't work. When that
furniture arrives and is installed I'll set about inducing the lady of
my dreams to come and occupy my dream house, in my own way. I never did
give you that job. It was merely assumed on your part."

"So it was," said Linda. "But you know I could set that iris and run
that brook with more enthusiasm if I knew the lady who was to walk
beside it."

"You do," said Peter. "You know her better than anyon