have a nurse to help with the children--but I'd have one servant
all my life--I'd do my own work! To have our friends down here--to
have the children grow up in these surroundings--to have that club
to go to--! We're not building for this year, or next year, dear.
We've got the children's future to think of. Mind, I'm not trying
to influence you, Bert," said Nancy, her eager tone changing
suddenly to a flat, repressed voice, "You are the best judge, of
course, and whatever you decide will be right. But I merely think
that this is the loveliest place I ever saw in my life, and
exactly what we've been hunting for--only far, far nicer!--and
that if we can't have it we'd simply better give up house-hunting,
because it's a mere waste of time, and resign ourselves to living
in that detestable city for ever and ever! Of course to go on as
we are going on, means no friends and no real home life for the
children, everyone admits that the city is NO PLACE FOR CHILDREN,
and another thing, we'll never find anything like this again! But
you do as you think best. Only I--that's what I feel, if you ask
me."

And having talked the colour into her cheeks, and the tears into
her eyes, Nancy turned her back upon her husband, and looked out
into the garden again.




Chapter Nineteen


That same week Bert brought home the deeds, and put them down on