But will the house be warm enough ?" "Yes," Mona answered, "we telephoned down last night for Mr.Bates, the caretaker, to make some fires, and we can pile logs in the big hall fireplace till we roast alive.

We can have the feast in the hall, if the dining-room is chilly." But they found the whole house fairly warm and distinctly cheery and homey-looking.

Bates had aired and dusted it, and had built fires and altogether the beautiful rooms looked so attractive, that Mona declared she was half inclined not to give it up, after all.
"We could rent it some years, Roger," she said, "and live in it some years, if we wanted to." "Just as you say, Mona," he replied; "it's your house.

Wait until spring to decide, if you prefer." "All right," said Van Reypen, "but I fear we must decide on the house we buy before that.

For we want to get the place we're to have in order as soon as Spring pokes her nose in." "We'll have luncheon first," Mona decided, "and then discuss the matter." The men opened the hampers, and the girls set the table in the great hall, near the roaring wood fire that filled the enormous fireplace.
Salads and sandwiches, carefully packed, were in faultless condition, and the numerous Thermos bottles held hot soup, coffee, and chocolate.
A small freezer of ice cream appeared from somewhere, and a box of confectionery contented the girls while the men smoked after the repast.
"It's this way," said Roger, at last, when they had talked over the whole thing thoroughly, "Mona and I are considering our future,--yes, even our old age! And, so, there are some points that we want to discuss alone.