Judy shut up her firm lips until they looked like a straight line across her face. "He's such a noble fellow," repeated Hilda. "I can't tell you how glad you ought to be to have the prospect of calling a man like Jasper your brother; he'll be a great help to you, Judy, by and by." "No, he won't--I don't want him to be," said Judy viciously. "Why, I declare, I do believe the dear is jealous; but now to go on. Jasper has written to me on a most important subject. Now, if I consult you about it you won't ever, ever tell, will you?" "No, of course I won't. Was it about that you were muttering to yourself when I came into the room?" "You funny puss; yes, I was talking the matter over to myself. Jasper is looking out for a house for us." "He isn't. It's awfully cheeky of him." "My dear Judy, it would be much more cheeky to ask me to go and live in the street with him. We must have some residence after we are married--mustn't we? Well, darling, now you must listen very attentively; he has asked me whether it would be best for us to live in a little house of our own----" "Why a little house? he ought to take you to a palace." "Don't interrupt; we shall be poor people, quite a poor couple, Jasper and I. Now, Judy, just try and get as wise as a Solon. He wants to know whether I would rather live in a little house or a flat." "What's a flat, Hilda?" "I don't quite know myself; but I believe a flat consists of several rooms on one floor shut away from the rest of the house by a separate hall door. Jasper rather approves of a flat, because he says there won't be any rates and taxes. It's very silly, but though I am a grown-up girl, I don't exactly know what rates and taxes are--do you?" "No, but I can ask Miss Mills." "I don't expect she'd know anything about them; it seems so stupid to have to write back and tell Jasper that I don't understand what he means." "Aunt Marjorie would know," said Judy. "I shouldn't like to consult her, pet. I think I'd better leave it to Jasper to decide." Judy looked very wise and interested now. "Why don't you say you'd rather go into a little house?" she said; "it sounds much more interesting. A flat is an ugly name, and I am quite sure it must be an ugly place." "That is true," said Hilda, pausing and looking straight before her with her pretty brows knit. "Oh, dear, oh, dear! I wonder what is right. And a little house might have a garden too, mightn't it, Judy?" "Of course, and a fowl-house and a cote for your pigeons." "To be sure; and when you come to see me, you should have a strip of garden to dig in all for yourself." "Oh, should I really come to see you, Hilda? Miss Mills said that you wouldn't want me--that you wouldn't be bothered with me." "That I wouldn't be bothered with you? Why, I shall wish to have you with me quite half the time. Now, now, am I to be strangled again? Please, Judy, abstain from embracing, and tell me whether we are to have a flat or a cottage."