e on it--many panes of glass when the sun was gone. The garden
seemed to extend behind the house; but they could only see a smooth
gravel walk with an edge of green. Clumps of evergreens and
horse-chestnuts hid all the rest. But even these were very beautiful;
and this glimpse of a rich man's garden, from an upper window, was the
redeeming feature in their new home.

For it was summer--the very prime of summer-time--and except for that
little glimpse of garden, and the dusty maple boughs, and the ragged
tops of the poplars, it might just as well have been winter. There was
nothing to remind them of summer, but the air hanging over them hot and
close, or sweeping in sudden dust-laden gusts down the narrow street.
Yes; there was the long streak of blue, which Harry called the river,
seen from the upper window; but it was only visible in sunny days, at
least it only gleamed and sparkled then; it was but a dim, grey line at
other times.

How changed their life was; how they drooped and pined for the sights
and sounds and friends of Merleville.

"If there were but a green field in sight, or a single hill," said
Rosie; but she always added, "how nice it is to have the willow trees
and the sight of the garden."

For Rose was by no means sure that their longing for green fields and
hills and woods was not wrong. It seemed like ingratitude to Arthur,
this pining for the country and their old home; and these young girls
from the very first made a firm stand against the home-sickness that
came upon them. Not that home-sickness is a sickness that can be cured
by struggling against it; but they tried hard to keep the knowledge of
it from their brothers. Whatever happened during the long days, they
had a pleasant breakfast-hour and a pleasant evening together. They
seldom saw their brothers at other times during the first few months.
Harry's hours were long, and Arthur's business was increasing so as to
require close attention. This was a matter of much rejoicing to Graeme,
who did not know that all Arthur's business was not strictly
professional--that it was business wearisome enough, and sometimes
bringing in but little, but absolutely necessary for that little's sake.

Graeme and Rosie were at home alone, and they found the days long and
tedious often, though they conscientiously strove to look at all things
from their best and brightest side. For a while they were too busy--too
anxious for the success of their dome