They look so nice in pictures, and how one improves a place! I hardly know this is home.

Now if we only had a fresh coat of white paint we could line up with the neighbours." "I have been thinking about that," said Mr.Bates, and Kate glanced at him, doubting her hearing.
He noticed her surprise and added in explanation: "Paint every so often saves a building.

It's good economy." "Then let's economize immediately," said Kate.

"And on the barn, too.
It is even more weather-beaten than the house." "I'll see about it the next time I go to town," said Mr.Bates; so Kate entered the house prepared for anything and wondering what it all meant for wherever she looked everything was shining the brightest that scrubbing and scouring could make it shine, the best of everything was out and in use; not that it was much, but it made a noticeable difference.

Her mother greeted her pleasantly, with a new tone of voice, while Nancy Ellen was transformed.