w things; the children were
infatuated with the idea of a kitchen of their own, and wanted
everything in sight. They went wild over a new kind of refrigerator
that would freeze its own ice, making ice-cream in the bargain, and
run by an electric motor; but here Julia Cloud held firm. No such
expensive experiment was needed in their tiny kitchen. A small white,
old-fashioned kind was good enough for them. So the children
immediately threw their enthusiasm into selecting the best kind of
ice-cream freezer.

When they finally went to the tea-room for lunch, everything on Julia
Cloud's list was carefully checked off by Allison with its respective
price; and, while they were waiting to be served, he added the column
twice to make sure he was right.

"We're shy five dollars yet of what we planned to spend on our
kitchen, Cloudy," he announced radiantly. "What did I tell you?"

"But where would you have been if I had let you get that refrigerator?"
she retorted.

"Well, there were a lot of things we didn't really need," he
answered.

"Such as what?"

"Oh, clothes-pins and--well, all those pans. Did you need so many?" he
answered helplessly.

They laughed his masculine judgment out of countenance, and chatted
away about what they should do next, until their order arrived.

They were like three children as they ate their lunch, recalling now
and then some purchase which gave them particular pleasure.

Suddenly Julia Cloud lifted her hands in mock distress. "I know what
we've forgotten! Dish-towels!" she said.

"Dish-towels! Why, sure. We have to have a lot so we can all wipe
dishes when the cook goes out. Will five dollars buy them, Cloudy?"
asked Leslie distressingly.

"Well, I certainly should hope so!" said Julia Cloud, laughing. "The
idea! Five dollars' worth of dish-towels!"

"Well, we'll go and get them at once," said Leslie; "and after that
we'll do the bedrooms."

Five o'clock found them wending their way homeward once more, tired
but happy.

"Now, to-morrow," said Julia Cloud, leaning back on the soft cushions,
"I think we had better stay at home and receive the things. The house
must be cleaned at once, and then we can put things right where they
are going to belong. Allison, you ought to be able to get a man to
wash windows. I'll ask the chambermaid about a woman to help clean,
and Leslie and I will make curtains while you put up the rods."

They were so interesting a trio at their table in the in