"What are we going in here for?" asked Beth.

"Do you think it a pretty place?" returned Mr. Davenport.

"I never saw a prettier place. It's grand."

"Guess who owns it."

"How should I know? I don't know any people in Florida."

"You know the Davenports. They are to live here. I bought the place
this morning."

Beth could hardly believe her father. He had, indeed, greatly
surprised her. That she was to be a little Florida lady henceforth,
hardly seemed possible. She thought she must be a fairy-story
princess, and that the fairies were vying with one another in showering
upon her the good things of life.

"I'm so happy, I don't know what to say or do. Why, if a good fairy
offered to grant me three wishes, I shouldn't know what to ask. I have
everything," declared Beth.

"There aren't any fairies, and you know it. So what's the use of
talking about them," interrupted practical Marian.

"Mamma says our thoughts are the real fairies," returned Beth, nothing
daunted, and added, "papa has given me plenty of good ones to-day."

"I was in great luck to secure this place," said Mr. Davenport. "It