“Well,” began the girl, holding her excitement in check, “I want to move Paradise Ward up on Overlook for the summer and autumn.”
Nobody spoke. They looked at one another, anxiety on Polly’s side, astonishment and half comprehension on the other.
“Tell me all about it, little daughter.” Dr. Dudley drew up a chair.
So Polly told; of her delight in the spot; of the marvelous beauty of the view; of the wonderful, intoxicating air; of the plan that had suddenly popped into her head when she waked on Sunday morning; of the news that had greeted her at breakfast, just fitting into her scheme, about the brother and sister, owners of a bungalow and a study on the top of Overlook, who had just been left a fortune in Switzerland and wished to sell their property on the mountain; how it seemed the one place for Paradise Ward to get strong in; and of how she could not wait an hour beyond to-day to tell her father of her plan and to beg him to accede to her wish.
She was quiet at last, watching with eager eyes her father’s face.
“Have you thought of the money it would cost to carry out this plan?” asked the Doctor quietly.
“Of course,” she acknowledged, “it must depend on Mrs. Gresham; but I know she will be interested in less than a minute.”
“She surely will be. That, however, is not the question. She has spent a fortune on Paradise Ward already.”
“Yes,” he conceded; “yet is it wise for us to incite her to further spending?”