"The custom may be; the pictures are anything else, as you will soon discover; although, since you admire this Virgin, there's no telling what you will think."
"I do admire it!" said Ethel, looking toward it again, "I should like to know something about the man who did it. Oh, to think what it would be to him, to teach him to use his fingers and realize his ideals—for that he has ideals I am certain. But where are all the people who belong to these enchanted houses? And why is it that we see nobody about?"
"They are all at work in the fields at this time of the day."
"But their houses are open!"
"Of course! They are never closed, except when the weather makes it necessary."
"But people could go in and steal!"
"Yes, they could, but it seems they don't! One reason for such uprightness may be that there is so very little to steal. Come and look into this one!"
They advanced to the door, which stood wide open, mounted the low steps, and looked in.
"How charming! How delicious!" exclaimed Ethel enthusiastically.
Florence answered with a laugh of amiable derision.