THEIR GARDEN VACATION 59 



float before his eyes, as if in them he sought the solu- 

 tion he was voicing. 



"'A terrace implies closely shorn turf and formal 

 surroundings, out of keeping with this place ; besides, 

 young people with only a general maid and a useful 

 man can't afford to be formal, if they would, the 

 game isn't worth the strain.' (Did I not tell you 

 that he observes?) 



" 'Let us take a look at the knoll to-morrow and 

 see what has grown there and guess at what may be 

 coaxed to grow, and then you can spend a couple of 

 months during this summer and autumn searching the 

 woods and byways for native plants for the restora- 

 tion. This reservoir building is your opportunity ; you 

 can rob the river valley with impunity, for the clearing 

 will begin in October, consequently anything you take 

 will be in the line of a rescue. So there you are 

 living in the fresh air, improving your place, and 

 saving money at both ends.' 



" ' By George ! It sounds well, as far as I'm con- 

 cerned !' ejaculated Bart, 'but how will such a scheme 

 give Mary a vacation from housekeeping and the ever- 

 lasting three meals a day? She seldom growls, but 

 the last month she too has confessed to feeling tired.' 



" ' I think it's a perfectly fascinating idea, but how 



