and he can afford to paint you a first-class picture.
Give an architect money enough, and he'll give you a
first-class house, every time.'"

"Oh, wasn't it awful!" moaned her sister. "No one would
ever have supposed that he had fought the very idea
of an architect for weeks, before he gave in."

Penelope went on. "'I always did like the water side
of Beacon,--long before I owned property there.
When you come to the Back Bay at all, give me the water
side of Beacon.'"

"Ow-w-w-w!" shrieked Irene. "DO stop!"

The door of their mother's chamber opened below,
and the voice of the real Colonel called, "What are you
doing up there, girls? Why don't you go to bed?"

This extorted nervous shrieks from both of them.
The Colonel heard a sound of scurrying feet, whisking drapery,
and slamming doors. Then he heard one of the doors
opened again, and Penelope said, "I was only repeating
something you said when you talked to Mr. Corey."

"Very well, now," answered the Colonel. "You postpone
the rest of it till to-morrow at breakfast, and see
that you're up in time to let ME hear it."