The Duke house, though clean and roomy, lacked the dainty home touches which mean so much.

There were no porch, no lawn, no trees.

The home was bare inside and out.
In deference to the "company" Carlia was permitted to "visit" with her friend that afternoon.

Apparently, these two girls had very little in common, but when left to themselves they found many mutual interests.
Toward the close of the afternoon, Dorian appeared.

He found the girls out in the yard, Carlia seated on the topmost pole of the corral fence, and Mildred standing beside her.
"Hello girls," Dorian greeted.