Art Out-of-Doors 
contract is signed, and not come back 
uutil the house is finished/ ’ The cause 
of many unfortunate disputes was certainly 
implied in this bit of advice. 
While there is reason, then, for insisting 
that the artist should be more conscientious 
as to expenditure, the client ought also to 
reform his habits. There are a few rules 
which should be heeded by every person 
about to build or to lay out a country place : 
Take plenty of time to decide, in consulta- 
tion with the artist, just what it is you want. 
See that he understands you clearly, leaving 
no question of importance open for hasty 
deciding as the work progresses. Then 
think no more about it, except to watch, if 
you will, lest through misunderstanding or 
carelessness something not in the bond is 
being done. Or, if you must change your 
mind, ascertain what the act will cost you, 
and decide before it is too late whether 
you will assume the additional expense or 
not. Do not think that “ a few little altera- 
tions ’ ’ will be of no consequence. Probably 
those which seem little to you will not be 
little from the artist’s point of view, or in a 
373 
