The kitchen was admired; so were the pantry, scullery, coal-hole, dust-hole, etcetera; all so nice and clean; so compact; and, as the builder observed, not a nail to drive anywhere.
“Well, my dear, what do you think now? isn’t it a charming house?” said my wife, as we re-ascended into the dining-parlour.
“It’s a very nice house, my dear; but still it requires a little consideration,” replied I.
“Consideration, my dear?” replied my wife; “what! now that you have gone over it?”
“I am afraid that I cannot give you very long, sir,” observed the builder; “there are two other parties after the house, and I am to give them an answer by two o’clock.”
“Mr Smithers told me the same yesterday,” whispered my wife.
“What did you say the rent was, Mr Smithers?”
“Only 200 pounds per annum.”
“Any ground-rent?”
“Only 27 pounds 10 shillings.”