scenic effect that made, indeed, a fine setting for a little
structure for a pleasure house of any kind.

"Lovely spot!" and Patty stood still and gazed about over her domain.

"Seems to me I've heard you remark that before."

"And will again,--so long as we both shall live! Oh, Little Billee, I'm
so glad I picked you out for my mate--"

"_I_ picked _you_ out, you mean. Why, the first moment I saw you, I--"

"You kissed me! Yes, you did,--you bad man! I wonder I ever spoke to you
again!"

"But I kissed you by mistake that time. I'd no idea who you were."

"I know it. And you've no idea who I am, now!"

"That's true, sweetheart. For you've as many moods and personalities as a
chameleon,--and each more dear and sweet than the last."

"Look here, my friend, haven't we been married long enough for you to
cease to feel the necessity for those pretty speeches?"

"Tired of 'em?"

"No; but I don't want you to think you must--"

"Now, now, don't be Patty Simpleton! When I make forced or perfunctory
speeches, you'll know it! Don't you think so, Patty Mine?"

"Yep. Oh, Billee, look, there's the place for the tea-house!"

Patty pointed to a shady nook, halfway up the side of the ravine.

"Great!" agreed Bill. "Wait a minute,--I'll sketch it in."

He pulled an old envelope and a pencil from his pockets, and rapidly drew
the location with a few hasty strokes, and added a suggestion of an
Oriental looking building that was meant for the proposed tea-house.

"Just right!" cried Patty; "you _are_ clever, dear! Now draw Baby and me
drinking tea there."

A few more marks did for the tea drinkers and a queer looking figure
hurrying along the path was doubtless the father coming home.

Patty declared herself satisfied and folded the paper and put it safely
away in her pocket.

"We'll get at that as soon as the landscape gardener finishes the sunken
garden," she said.

"Oh, I'm _glad_ I'm alive! I never expected to have everything I wanted
in the way of gardens! Don't you love them, too?"

"Of course,--and yet, not as you do, Patty. I was brought up in the great
West, you know,--and sometimes I long for the big spaces."

"Why, this is a big space, isn't it?"

"I mean the prairies,--yes, even the desert,--the limitless expanse of--"

"Limitless fiddlesticks! You can't have the earth!"

"I don't want it. You're all the world to me, then why crave the earth?"

"Nice boy! Well, as I was about to say, do you know, I