_Paul._ I love thee better for it, sweetheart.

_Olive._ My stint is done.

_Paul._ Then come. (_She obeys._) Now for the news. This morning I
bought of Goodman Nourse his nine-acre lot for a homestead. What
thinkest thou of that?

_Olive._ It is a pleasant spot.

_Paul._ 'Tis not far from here, and thou wilt be near thy mother.

_Olive._ Was it not too costly?

_Paul._ I had saved enough to pay for it, and in another year's
time, and I have the help of God in it, I shall have saved enough
for our house. What thinkest thou of a gambrel-roof and a lean-to,
two square front rooms, both fire-rooms, and a living-room? And
peonies and hollyhocks in the front yard, and two popple-trees, one
on each side of the gate?

_Olive._ We shall need not a lean-to, Paul, and one fire-room will
serve us well; but I will have laylocks and red and white roses as
well as peonies and hollyhocks in the front yard, and some mint
under the windows to make the house smell sweet; and I like well the
popple-trees at the gate.

_Paul._ The house shall be built of fairly seasoned yellow pine
wood, with a summer tree in every room, and fine panel-work in the