"You can afford to--to branch out a little?"

"Yes," I said. But my pleasure in the admission was not keen.

"Then," said Bee, "I would advise a coachman and a footman in livery.
I know just where two excellent Englishmen can be got. Then you want
all this made into lawns. You want to exercise the horses more, and
have their tails docked. And above all you want a victoria."

"We have got that," I said. "I was going to surprise you with it. It
came this morning."

"Where is it?" cried Bee, standing up and shaking out her gown.

"In the barn, but perhaps--"

"Let's go and look at it!" exclaimed Bee. Then as we started she laid
her hand kindly on my arm. "And please say 'stables,' not 'barn.' Sir
Wemyss might not know what you meant."

I giggled at this, for ours is so hopelessly a barn. Nobody but a fool
would try to rejuvenate the huge red structure by the word "stables."
It sheltered the lovely, soft-eyed Jerseys, a score of sitting hens in
one retired corner, the horses, the feed, the carriages, and farm
implements. Stables indeed!

Bee walked straight by all the animals, who turned their heads and gave
me a welcome after their several kinds, and stood in delighted
contemplation before the beautiful shining victoria.

"That is a beauty!" she said, at length. "Aubrey certainly knows
what's what, even if you don't. Now I can tell you what has been in my
mind all day long. Oh, do leave that cow alone and listen! Call the
dog!"

Jack, our snow-white bulldog, came at a word. Bee beamed on him.

"It is the latest--the very latest fad in London to drive in a victoria
with a white bulldog on the seat with you!" she said, complacently.
"And Jack will be simply perfect for the part."

"Shall I train Aubrey to run behind with his tongue hanging out, in
Jack's place?" I asked.

"Now there you go--rejecting my simplest suggestion!" cried Bee. "My
simplest, my smartest, and my least expensive! This won't cost you a
penny, and it will attract attention at once."

I closed my eyes for a moment to contemplate just what sort of
attention we would attract if the dog and I drove to the Station to
meet Aubrey.

"Suppose we try it now!" suggested Bee. "Will you have Amos bring out
the horses?"

Bee is always scrupulously polite about not giving orders to my
servants direct, although I have begged her to consider them as her
own. I always think that a hostess who neglects to make her guests
feel at li