proposition for us, we couldn't swing it. It may be all you say,
but I'm raising a family; I can't go into twenty-five-thousand-
dollar deals--"

"I don't see why--" began the agent, unruffled.

"I do!" Bert interrupted him, cheerfully.

"Now look here, Mr. Bradley," said Mr. Rogers, patiently. "Let's
get the real dope on this thing. You want a home. You don't want a
contract-made, cheaply constructed place in some community that
your wife and children will outgrow before they're five years
older! Now, here you get a place that every year is going to
improve. There isn't so much of this Sound shore that is lying
around waiting to be bought. I can show you----"

"Nothing stirring, I tell you!" Bert repeated, "Don't hand me out
a lot of dope about it. I can see for myself what it is, I like
it, the Missus likes it, it's a dandy proposition--for a
millionaire. But I couldn't touch it with a ten-foot pole!"

Nancy's lip began to tremble. She was tired, and somehow--somehow
it all seemed such a waste, if they weren't to have it! She busied
herself untying Anne's napkin, and sent the three children on a
gingerly tour of inspection down to the beach.

"Now listen a moment!" Mr. Rogers said. And Nancy added gently,
almost tremulously:

"Do just LISTEN to him, Bert!"