I should have wrecked and wasted in one way or another, either by penury or by luxury.

Is it not so ?" "Indeed it is," said I.
She was going to say something else, when a little gate in the fence, which led into a small elm-shaded field, was opened, and Dick came with hasty cheerfulness up the garden path, and was presently standing between us, a hand laid on the shoulder of each.

He said: "Well, neighbours, I thought you two would like to see the old house quietly without a crowd in it.

Isn't it a jewel of a house after its kind?
Well, come along, for it is getting towards dinner-time.

Perhaps you, guest, would like a swim before we sit down to what I fancy will be a pretty long feast ?" "Yes," I said, "I should like that." "Well, good-bye for the present, neighbour Ellen," said Dick.