window stools that came down behind tables and
shelves, forming a sort of receptacle for lost articles belonging to
the kitchen or pantry--all of which she resolved should not be
repeated. When Bessie arrived the house was in that most perfect order
which gives no sign of unusual preparation.

[Illustration: FIRST FLOOR OF THE CONTRIBUTION.]

"This is too perfectly lovely for anything," exclaimed Bessie. "I just
_dote_ on domestic duties. You can't help being overpoweringly happy,
Jill, with such a home and _such_ a husband. Then only to think of the
new house drives me completely frantic. What _will_ it be like? Are the
plans made? Oh! I do hope not, for I have a _million_ of things to tell
you about that are totally _unspeakable_."

"Then you are just in time. We had a long letter from the architect
this morning asking for instructions on various matters."

"How perfectly fascinating! Let's sit down this minute and begin upon
them."

But Jill preferred waiting till Jack came home, bringing with him his
younger brother, just home for summer vacation.

"It isn't necessary to announce dinner," said she. "The preliminary
odors have already advertised it through the entire house."

"I thought these observations were to be strictly confidential,"
observed Jack.

"That wasn't 'finding fault.' It was a mere casual remark. Some people
may think it pleasanter to be summoned by the odor of broiling fish
than by the noise of a dinner-bell."

"Indeed I do," said Bessie, taking Jack's proffered arm. "Odors are too
delicious for anything. They are so refined and spiritual I'm sure I
could live on them. I would far prefer the fragrance of a dish of
strawberries to the fruit itself."

"We shall get along capitally then. You can smell of the berries and
I'll eat them afterwards. You see now, Jill, the advantage of having a
house built like this. Cousin Bessie proposes that we live on the
fragrance of the food. It won't be necessary even to come to the
dining-room. We can all stay in the parlor or in our chambers and
absorb sustenance from the circumambient air, as the sprightly goldfish
gathers honey from the inside of a glass ball."

"Please don't make fun of me, Cousin Jack, for I do truly _revel_ in
fragrance, and I'm sure your house is _beautifully_ planned. Don't you
think so, Mr. James?"

"I realty don't know much about such things. I never did like to know
what I was going to have for dinner long beforehand--it ma