At last the furniture was bought on the installment plan and the new
flat was being put in order. It called for a few more pieces of
furniture than we had figured on, and the debt, in consequence, was
greater; but that meant merely a few months more to make payments.

It was fine furniture, too! Of course it has long since ceased to serve
us; but never in this world shall that dining set be duplicated! For
perfection of finish and loveliness of design, that first oak dining
table will linger in our memories for life. The one we now have cost
more than all the money we spent for all the furniture with which we
began housekeeping; and yet, figuring according to the joy it has
brought to us, it is poor in comparison.

And so it was, too, with the mahogany settee, upholstered in green
plush, and the beveled glass dresser, and the living-room chairs. We
used to make evening trips over to that flat merely for the joy of
admiring these things--our things; the first we had ever possessed.

Then came the night of June 27th. We had both looked forward to that
wonderful honeymoon trip up the lakes to Mackinac Island, and tomorrow
we were to start. But right then I am sure that both Mother and I wished
we might call it off. It seemed so foolish to go away from such a
beautiful flat and such lovely furniture.

The honeymoon trip lasted two weeks; and one day, at Mackinac Island, I
found Mother in tears.

"What the matter?" I asked.

"I want to go home!" she said. "I know I am silly and foolish, but I