"A wooden frame house, I believe."
"No but, dear uncle, do tell me."
"What sort of a house?--Humph--Large enough, I am told. It will accommodate you, in one way."
"Comfortable?"
"I don't know," said the doctor shaking his head;--"depends on who's in it. No house is that per se. But I reckon there isn't much plate glass. I suppose you'll find the doors all painted blue, and every fireplace with a crane in it."
"A crane!" said Mrs. Rossitur, to whose imagination the word suggested nothing but a large water-bird with a long neck.
"Ay!" said the doctor. "But it's just as well. You won't want hanging lamps there,--and candelabra would hardly be in place either, to hold tallow candles."
"Tallow candles!" exclaimed Mrs. Rossitur. Her husband winced, but said nothing.
"Ay," said the doctor again,--"and make them yourself if you are a good housewife. Come, Lucy," said he taking her hand, "do you know how the wild fowl do on the Chesapeake?--duck and swim under water till they can shew their heads with safety? O spoil your eyes to see by a tallow candle."
Mrs. Rossitur half smiled, but looked anxiously towards her husband.