'No. I will build a house for you, Arthur, if you can put a housekeeper in it.'
'Don't let such a trifle stand in your way,' said Dr. Arthur. 'There'll be one in it when I am there. And when I am not, it's no matter.'
Dane uttered a low whistle, and looked at the other members of the little circle.
'Shews how much he knows about housekeeping!'
'For a particular man, which he is,' said Prim.
'You wouldn't believe it,' said Dane, his eye coming round to Wych Hazel, 'but I shall have to make the tea carefully to-night, because that fellow is here.'
'All which proves that I know how to make it for myself,' said Dr. Arthur composedly. 'But it is mere fudge, Dane, about building a house for me. Get your hands roofed in, and then don't do one other thing at present. I'll live somewhere.'
'Lodge under a hedge, and dine in the top of a beech tree. Where would be a good place?I do not mean, for the beech tree. Somewhere near the spot where the road to the Hollow leaves the Crocus roadthat's about three miles. That would be in the way of everything."
'But Duke,' said Primrose, 'are you in earnest? Couldn't he be at home?'
'Seven miles off, Prim? He was only just in time this afternoon. Arthur, I wish you would draw out a plan of a house that you would like.'