"Why, there is no 'perhaps' about it! Le said you were to do just as you please with the house," suggested Wynnette. "But that did not mean I should burn it down," said Odalite. "Of course it did not. What do----" "And he did not mean I should tear it down either, as I should have to do to make all the improvements our ambitious little Elva suggests. Why, darling, we might as well talk of putting a mansard on the top of that clump of Scotch firs as on that irregularly built farmhouse." "The top is about as uneven in height as a set of dinner casters, so we will give up the mansard roof. But do have a bay window and some balconies," said Elva. "Perhaps," repeated Odalite. So talking they reached the bridge crossing Chincapin Creek, with its fringe of richly laden bushes, and stopped to gather the nuts. It took but a little while to fill all their baskets, after which they continued their homeward walk. They reached Mondreer late in the afternoon. Their father had returned from the courthouse. Their mother had recovered from her headache. And the delayed dinner was served. During the meal, which at Mondreer was always a merry one, the talk still ran upon Greenbushes and its present and prospective attractions. Col. Anglesea took little part in the conversation, but he listened and smiled. After dinner, and during the long winter evening that followed, he vainly sought an opportunity of speaking alone with Mrs. Force. He did not fail because she shunned him, but because the little party kept together in the most persistent way, and he certainly could not ask Mrs. Force in the presence of all her family, to give him a private interview. He must wait his opportunity. CHAPTER VI "IN MY LADY'S CHAMBER" The next morning Col. Anglesea resolved to have a decisive conversation with Mrs. Force before the day should be over. After breakfast he seated himself in the family parlor to await events. Soon Mr. Force came in to him. He was booted and spurred for a ride. "I am sorry to have to leave you again to-day, but you know a subpoena is a thing not to be defied," he said. "Oh, don't mind me. Sorry to lose your company, but shall find something to do, no doubt," replied the colonel. "I fear it would be quite useless to ask you to ride with me?" "To court? To spend the day there? Yes, quite. I never permit myself to be bored if I can help it." "Good-day, then." "Good-day. I wish you a pleasant ride." "Thank you," said Mr. Force. And he left the room. Anglesea kept his seat, and waited for the entrance of Mrs. Force. There was her workstand, her workbox, her easy-chair and her footstool, in their cozy corner between the open fire and the side window, but she did not come to occupy them.