Ruth went round, through the brown room and the hall, to the front door. Stephen found her stooping down, with her face close to the piazza cracks.
"Hollo! what's the matter? Lost something?"
Ruth lifted up her head. "Hush!"
"Why, how your face shines! What is up?"
"It's the sunset. I mean—that shines. Don't say anything. Our splendid—little—idea, you know. It's under here."
"Be dar—never-minded, if mine is!"
"You don't know. Columbus didn't know where his idea was—exactly. Do you remember when Sphinx hid her kittens under here last summer? Brought 'em round, over the wood-pile in the shed, and they never knew their way out till she showed 'em?"
"It isn't about kittens!"
"Hasn't Old Ma'amselle got some now?"
"Yes; four."