"Several, and I have made out a list of them. I have been to the house agents and have got the keys. I did not wish you to have the bother of it, so I took it all on myself. And here are the orders to view the houses where there are care-takers. Of course we don't want the keys of those houses; all we have to do is to ring." "How many empty houses are there on your list?" "Twenty-three." I repressed a shudder. "And you have the keys of----" "Eleven. I can get plenty more. We must be careful they don't get mixed up. Perhaps you had better keep them." "Not for worlds. Do you propose to go over the whole twenty-three to-day?" "Oh, no, my dear, but we will continue till we are tired. With what I have and what I am promised I dare say it will be a long job before we are suited. Days and days." "Perhaps weeks and weeks," I suggested faintly. "Perhaps. Do you remember how we hunted and hunted till we found this house?" "Can I ever forget it? I grew so sick of tramping about that I thought seriously of buying a traveling caravan, and living in it. Well, Maria, I confess I don't like the prospect, but as your mind is made up I will put a good face on it." "I was sure you would, my dear. You are the best man in the world." And she gave me a hearty kiss. "All right, my dear. When do we start?" "I shall be ready in half an hour." In less than that time we were off, I resigned to my fate, and my wife as brisk as a young maid about to enter into housekeeping for the first time. I could not but admire her courage. Her bag was stuffed with keys, and in her hand she carried a book in which were set down the particulars of the houses we were to look over. CHAPTER II. HOUSE-HUNTING À LA MODE.