“I think you’re real mean,” he heard Margie say. Then he heard Lucia reply,-- “No, I’m not. Am I, mamma?” “No,” said Mrs. Tramlay, as Marge approached close enough to see that they were looking at the floor-plan of a house, spread upon the table. “My heart is set upon having that room for my very own,” said Margie. “The young lady of the family always has first choice, after her parents.” “Not where there is a bride to be provided for,” Mrs. Tramlay replied. “Well said, mamma. There, Margie,” said Lucia; “that room is for Phil and me.” “Here,” said Tramlay, entering from the library, with a large sheet of paper in his hand, “is the plan of---- Why, Marge!--bless my soul!--when did you get back, old fellow?” “Mr. Marge!” exclaimed the three ladies in chorus, as they hastily arose. “What! only just come in?” asked Tramlay. “And of course there was such a clatter here, there being three women together, that nobody could hear a word.” Apparently the ladies did not agree with the head of the family, for Mrs. Tramlay looked at the visitor pityingly and Lucia dropped her eyes and blushed. But Margie was equal to the situation: her eyes danced as she exclaimed,-- “Just in time to see the plans of the villa we’re to have at Haynton Bay. See? This is the principal chamber floor; it fronts that way, toward the water, and I’ve just been cheated out of the darlingest room of all: it’s been set apart as sacred to the bride and groom. As if the silly things would care to look at water or anything else but each other!” “It will be as handsome a house as there is on the coast,” said Tramlay, “though your humble servant will be its owner. Say, old fellow, you need New York air: you don’t look as well as usual.” “A long day of travel,--that is all,” said Marge, with a feeble smile that seemed reluctant to respond to the demand imposed upon it. Mrs. Tramlay rang for a servant, and whispered,-- “A glass of wine for Mr. Marge.” “Haynton Bay is booming,” remarked Tramlay. “Have you heard any particulars recently?” “None at all,” drawled Marge: “I have been so busy that---- Thank you, Mrs. Tramlay,” he said, with a nod and a glance, as the wine appeared. “We’re doing capitally,” said Tramlay. “It begins to look as if, in spite of all the extra land on which old Hayn bought us options, there won’t be enough sites to meet the demand.” The news and the wine--both were needed--raised Marge’s spirits so that he ceased to fear he would faint. He finally collected wits and strength enough to say,-- “It’s just the time for me to sell out, then?”