y do!"

"No! not for a house full of silver dollars."

"Not to have such a splendid view from your door and windows of the
silver-breasted lake, and the grand old hills beyond?"

"Hardly, if the river Jordan rolled there, and Canaan bloomed opposite;
though I always thought that would be the loveliest sight on earth.
But what are you talking about, Matthew? do we not see the lake from
our house, and the hills, too, beyond?"

"Only from a distance."

"'Distance lends enchantment to the view,' as Fanny's poet sings."

"Only in little patches; and they are dull, and without interest,
unless the sun happens to shine. But would you not like to live there
if I was a merchant or lawyer; and had given a school, a church, and
hospital to the town, and grand folks were flocking from all quarters
to visit us?"

"No, I would not, as true as I live and breathe; not if you were King
George, and kings and queens were flocking to see you. Nothing but
Heaven would tempt me to change away the old home; we have taken so
much comfort here. It seems a part and parcel of myself. I would as
soon think of changing you off for Merchant Fairbanks, because he may
be called a little handsomer, and goes dressed up like a lord every day
about his dainty store. I would as soon think of selling Fanny, and
buying Desdemona Faddle to fill Fanny's place, just because she has a
mess of dangling curls, and paints her face, and wears more rings and
flounces."

"How you do talk! That would be quite a different thing; wouldn't it,
Fanny?"

"No, father, I think mother is right. I'm sure I never can love
another home as I love this. I should feel dreadfully to hear you talk
of selling. I never could love another home."

"Not if you had George there, to increase your happiness?"

"Another home to call father's and mother's I mean; where I could
return and enjoy all the old things that are grown so fast to my heart.
But why do you talk so, father?"

"That I was going to ask. You have no intention of leaving here, I
hope, and why _do_ you talk so? You act wild."

"You began the talk, Julia, and I was seeing to what a stretch you
would carry your feelings. But here, it is time I was out in the field
at the plough again, and I will leave you now, to think it all over,
and see if there is nothing on earth that would tempt you to sell the
old home."

A drop of cold water, or the slightest shake will interrupt the
reallest seeming dream;