CHAPTER IV
GARDENING ON PAPER
When Saturday came and the United Service Club tramped over Dorothy's new domain, including the domain that she hoped to have but was not yet sure of, every member agreed that the prospect was one that gave satisfaction to the Club as well as the possibility of pleasure and comfort to Mrs. Smith and Dorothy. The knoll they hailed as the exact spot where a house should go; the ridge behind it as precisely suited to the needs of a garden.
As to the region of the meadow and the brook and the rocks and the trees they all hoped most earnestly that Mrs. Smith would be able to buy it, for they foresaw that it would provide much amusement for all of them during the coming summer and many to follow.
Strangely enough Roger had never found the cave, and he looked on it with yearning.
"Why in the world didn't I know of that three or four years ago!" he exclaimed. "I should have lived out here all summer!"
"That's what we'd like to do," replied the Ethels earnestly. "We'll let you come whenever you want to."
Roger gave a sniff, but the girls knew from his longing gaze that he was quite as eager as they to fit it up for a day camp even if he was nearly eighteen and going to college next autumn.
When the exploring tour was over they gathered in their usual meeting place—Dorothy's attic—and discussed the gardens which had taken so firm a hold on the girls' imaginations.
"There'll be a small garden in our back yard as usual," said Roger in a tone that admitted of no dispute.