“Won’t do, Elfie,” said Mr. Kemp, shaking his head. “I must be ‘far from the madding crowd,’ and I must have a north light, or at least a place where I could put in a window on the north side if necessary.”
“Why do you want it on the north side? It is so cold there in winter. Do you like the north better than any other place?”
“No, my child, I do not, but be it known to you that the light varies less, the sun doesn’t gallop around so recklessly and doesn’t throw such exasperating reflections and shadows on your canvas.”
Elizabeth didn’t understand why this should make any very great difference, but it did seem a reason from an artist’s point of view and she accepted it. She felt that she might learn many new things if this lately acquired friend should remain with them.
They had wandered up and down the road, had peered in at the out-buildings of more than one small farm, and finally returned by the back road to Elizabeth’s own home. “That is where my cousin Ruth lives,” said Elizabeth, pointing out a gray stone house plainly seen through the bare trees. “It is a very pretty place. We can go through it, if you like, for there is a little gate just ahead. I think you would like to see the old spring with the little statue over it and there is a lovely view from the summer-house.”
“Let us go by all means,” agreed Mr. Kemp; “I am interested in fine views and ‘the old spring with a statue’ sounds most alluring.”
“My cousins aren’t here now,” Elizabeth told him; “but they are coming back soon. Ruth had the measles and had to go to Florida for the winter, but as soon as the weather is warm enough they will come back.”
They entered through the little gate and first visited the spring from which issued a small stream which went purling down the hill. The spring had been restoned and the little statue, although somewhat weather-stained, was in pretty good condition. “There,” exclaimed Elizabeth proudly, “isn’t that lovely? Ruth and I discovered it first, and we like this place to play in better than any.”
“It is rather nice,” said the young man, looking around critically. “A little too much cleaned up to be really artistic, you know; but it isn’t half bad. I wouldn’t mind making a study of it; I suppose there would be no objection to my coming in here to do it while the family are away.”
“Oh, I am sure you may,” returned Elizabeth. “We keep the keys of the house, but there is a man who looks after the place and the animals. He lives in the new garage; he has a room over it.”