"In your village? But how? Do you imagine you can play Providence to a whole settlement, and complete all its half circles?"
"No, sir, I've no thought of that. I simply want to make it possible for them to play Providence to each other. But it would take all day to tell you just how. You have a clue now, and suppose you watch me work it out. I shall probably come to you often for advice, and I must not take up more of your time to-day."
She arose, with a brisk movement, and began fastening her fur collar, in spite of his detaining gesture.
"No, no," she laughed, "don't tempt me! When I mount my hobby it carries me fast and far. Save yourself from its heels. But I will come again."
He laughed with a hearty note.
"You know when to dismount, evidently, and just in time to whet one's curiosity, too. I may be asking to ride it myself, next. Well, do come again—but wait! What's the name of your new town?"
"I've been puzzling over that, Mr. Barrington. I wanted in some way to have my family name connected with it, and yet not so distinctly as to be suggestive, either. There is the English of it—of course it's a free translation—that might do. I don't care to hint at my ideas in the name, so perhaps——"
"Lavillotte?" he questioned. "What is the English of it."
"'The little town,' but Littletown——"
"Why not drop the w?"