Besides, it leaves you free to plan out new improvements.

Now, here"-- Mr.Basket caught his friend's arm, and leading him past a bust of Socrates ("an Athenian," he explained in passing; "considered one of the wisest men of antiquity, though not good-looking in _our_ sense of the word "), paused on the brink of a small basin, cunningly sunk in centre of a round, pebble-paved area guarded by statuary--"I consider this my masterpiece." "A fish-pond!" "Yes, and containing real fish; goldfish, you perceive.

I keep it supplied from a rain-water cistern at the top of the house, and feed 'em on bread-crumbs.

Never tell _me_," said Mr.Basket, "that animals don't reason!" "You certainly have made yourself a charming retreat," the Major admitted, gazing about him.
Mr.Basket beamed.

"You remember the lines I was wont to declaim to you, my friend, over our bottle in Cheapside ?-- "'May I govern my passion with an absolute sway, And grow wiser and better as my strength wears away, Without gout or stone, by a gentle decay.