n't half
as smart as her Tommy, and she can't understand it. And Susy's father
wants to know why Susy can't write a letter without misspelling half
the words, and Dick's aunt wants me to change his seat, because that bad
Brown boy he is sitting with is teaching him to say naughty words.

"As to the financial part--but I'll not begin on that. Those whom the
gods wish to destroy they first make country schoolmarms!

"There, I feel better, after that growl. After all, I've enjoyed these
past two years. But I'm coming to Redmond.

"And now, Anne, I've a little plan. You know how I loathe boarding.
I've boarded for four years and I'm so tired of it. I don't feel like
enduring three years more of it.

"Now, why can't you and Priscilla and I club together, rent a little
house somewhere in Kingsport, and board ourselves? It would be cheaper
than any other way. Of course, we would have to have a housekeeper and
I have one ready on the spot. You've heard me speak of Aunt Jamesina?
She's the sweetest aunt that ever lived, in spite of her name. She can't
help that! She was called Jamesina because her father, whose name was
James, was drowned at sea a month before she was born. I always call her
Aunt Jimsie. Well, her only daughter has recently married and gone to
the foreign mission field. Aunt Jamesina is left alone in a great big
house, and she is horribly lonesome. She will come to Kingsport and keep
house for us if we want her, and I know you'll both love her. The more
I think of the plan the more I like it. We could have such good,
independent times.

"Now, if you and Priscilla agree to it, wouldn't it be a good idea
for you, who are on the spot, to look around and see if you can find a
suitable house this spring? That would be better than leaving it till
the fall. If you could get a furnished one so much the better, but if
not, we can scare up a few sticks of finiture between us and old family
friends with attics. Anyhow, decide as soon as you can and write me, so
that Aunt Jamesina will know what plans to make for next year."

"I think it's a good idea," said Priscilla.

"So do I," agreed Anne delightedly. "Of course, we have a nice
boardinghouse here, but, when all's said and done, a boardinghouse isn't
home. So let's go house-hunting at once, before exams come on."

"I'm afraid it will be hard enough to get a really suitable house,"
warned Priscilla. "Don't expect too much, Anne. Nice houses in nice
localities wil