.

Pray you, if you know, Where in the purlieus of this forest stands A sheep-cote fenc'd about with olive trees?
* * * * * The rank of osiers by the murmuring stream Left on your right hand, brings you to the place.
But at this hour the house doth keep itself.
Years ago, when we were planning to build a certain modest little house, Rosalind and I found endless delight in the pleasures of anticipation.

By day and by night our talk came back to the home we were to make for ourselves.

We discussed plan after plan and found none quite to our mind; we examined critically the houses we visited; we pored over books; we laid the experience of our friends under contribution; and when at last we had agreed upon certain essentials we called an architect to our aid, and fondly imagined that now the prelude of discussion and delay was over, we should find unalloyed delight in seeing our imaginary home swiftly take form and become a thing of reality.

Alas for our hopes! Expense followed fast upon expense and delay upon delay.