“So it ought if it comes to that. I had to pay seven and sixpence a yard for the land, before I could put a brick on it.”
Gertrude was impressed.
“What do you think o’ that oak paneling in the dining-room?”
She thought it was charming.
“Has Maria shown you the greenus—I should say conservatory—an’ the rockery—an’ the motor garidge? We haven’t got the motor yet, but it’s coming next week.”
Gertrude had seen these things. It only remained for her to enter upon a diplomatic rapture at the recital of their merits.
“No strawberries, thank you,” Josiah’s voice was rather sharp as the depressed lady tactlessly offered these delicacies at a moment when her lord was fully engaged in describing the unparalleled difficulties he had had to surmount in order to get the water fountain beyond the tennis lawn to work properly.
“Fact o’ the matter is, our Water Board wants wackenin’ up.”
“Well, you are the man to do that, Josiah. You are an alderman now.”