THEIR GARDEN VACATION 65 



turned from the light toward the now empty fire- 

 place. 



"A snap ! and the air seemed suddenly exhilarating ! 

 Was it an electric spark from the telephone? No, 

 simply the clarifying of the thoughts that had been 

 puzzling me. 



" Maria Maxwell shall come during our vacations, 

 at that moment I decided to separate the time into 

 several periods, she shall take entire charge of all 

 within doors. 



" Bart and I will divide off a portion of the old hay- 

 barn with screens, and camp out there (unless in case 

 of very bad thunder or one of the cold July storms that 

 we sometimes have). Anastasia shall serve us a very 

 simple hot dinner at noon in the summer kitchen, and 

 keep a supply of cooked food in the pantry, from 

 which we can arrange our breakfasts and suppers in 

 the opposite side of the barn from our sleeping place, 

 and there we can have a table, chairs, and a little oil 

 stove for making tea and coffee. 



"Maria, besides attending to domestic details, must 

 also inspect the mail and only show us letters when 

 absolutely necessary, as well as to say 'not at home,' 

 with the impenetrable New York butler manner to 

 every one who calls. 



