All we have to do is to see that they've not neglected the grounds." She was once more all belief and enthusiasm.

"It seemed to me, taking that place was most economical, and so comfortable.

Really, Dory, I didn't accept without thinking." Dory was debating with himself: To take that house--it was one of those trifles that are anything but trifles--like the slight but crucial motion at the crossroads in choosing the road to the left instead of the road to the right.

Not to take the house--Del would feel humiliated, reasoned he, would think him unreasonably small, would chafe under the restraint their limited means put upon them, whereas, if he left the question of living on their income entirely to her good sense, she would not care about the deprivations, would regard them as self-imposed.
"Of course, if you don't like it, Dory," she now said, "I suppose Mrs.
Dorsey will let me off.

But I'm sure you'd be delighted, once we got settled.