"I believe the park improves, father," said Harry, smiling as he noted his wife's delight in the charming landscape.
Deep armchairs and tables, rugs and a wicker divan furnished a portion of the piazza. "How will little Jewel like the apartment after this?" Julia could not help asking herself the question mentally. She no longer wondered at the child's content here, even without the companionship of other children. It must be an unimaginative little maid who, supported by Anna Belle, could not weave a fairy-land in this fresh paradise.
"Won't you be seated?" said the broker, waving his hand toward the chairs. The others obeyed as he took his place. "Let us know a little, now, what we are doing. What did I understand you to say, Harry, is your limit for time?"
"Well, I ought, really, to go west to-morrow, father."
Mr. Evringham nodded and turned his incisive glance upon his daughter-in-law. "And you, Julia?"
She smiled brightly at him. He observed that her complexion bore the sunlight well. "Oh, Jewel and I go with him, of course," she responded, confident that her reply would convey satisfaction.
"H'm. Indeed! Now it seems to me that you would be the better for a vacation."
"Why! Haven't I just had a trip to Europe?"
"Yes, I should think you had. From all that Harry tells me, I judge what with hunting up fashions and fabrics and corset-makers and all the rest of it, you have done the work, daily, of about two able-bodied men."
"That's right," averred Harry. "I was too much of a greenhorn to give her much assistance."