loors"
and--and--and things of that kind; I remembered having heard some
discussion of a prospective "addition," and--yes--I now recalled that
the front porch would have to be rebuilt. Hoping to conceal my utter
ignorance, I told Uncle Si that we wanted "lots of changes," but this
would not satisfy the exasperating man; he insisted upon particulars,
upon "specifications," as he termed them.

Of course I was unable to give them; so was Mrs. Denslow. The only
really distinct idea Mrs. Denslow had of the transformation
contemplated by Alice was one concerning the front lawn, and involving
gravel walks between flower beds and under umbrageous trees; exotics
perennially in bloom; Swiss tree boxes, from which the lark carolled by
day and the nightingale warbled at night; an artificial lake, in which
goldfishes swam and upon whose translucent bosom majestic swans glided
gracefully--I assure you that Mrs. Denslow has the soul of a poet!

But these delightful fancies did not interest Uncle Si, because they
did not concern him or his trade. So we compromised the matter by
appointing an hour that evening for Uncle Si to call and talk it all
over with Alice. This was, seemingly, the only way out of the dilemma.
All I knew was what I didn't want, or, rather, what _we_ didn't want.
Our many and long and earnest conversations with the neighbors had
determined numerous important points. We didn't want a roof like the
Baylors' roof; nor water-pipes like the Rushes'; nor backstairs like
the Tiltmans'; nor plastering like the Denslows'; nor dormer-windows
like the Carters'; nor a kitchen sink like the Plunkers'; nor smoky
chimneys like the Bollingers'; nor a skimpy little conservatory like
the Mayhews'--in fact, there were so many things we _didn't_ want that
it seemed to me that if Uncle Si had been moderately ingenious or had
given his imagination full rein, he might have guessed what we _did_
want, and so have gone ahead without fear of incurring our displeasure.

It was perhaps better, however, that, before undertaking his task,
Uncle Si should require some hint or intimation of what would be
expected of him. I am the last man in the world to discourage what is
ordinarily regarded and accepted as reasonable precaution against
embarrassment and adversity.

VI

I AM BESOUGHT TO BUY THINGS

Alice had her talk with Uncle Si and issued therefrom with the
conviction that Uncle Si was a paragon of integrity and carpenterin