"This is great!" Carolyn June said, as she stepped on the long cool porch in front of the house and paused a moment before entering the open door, "--it's cool and pleasant, I'm going to like it," she added, as she went into the big low-ceilinged room. The floor was bare of carpet but spotlessly clean; shades, but no curtains, were over the windows; in the center stood a large flat-topped reading table; at one end of the table was a Morris chair upholstered in brown Spanish leather; a wolf-skin rug was thrown on the floor before an old-fashioned Mexican fire-place built into one corner of the room; in another corner was a smaller table on which was a graphophone; a rocker and several chairs were set about the room and against the north wall; between two doors, evidently opening into twin bedrooms, was an upright grand piano--. "Oh, a piano!" Carolyn June exclaimed delightedly noticing the instrument. "Who plays?" "Nobody," Old Heck answered foolishly, "I--I--well, what's the use of lying?--I bought it one day, before prohibition come, when I was drunk and just had it brought out because I didn't know what else to do with it--" "You funny old uncle!" Carolyn June laughed, "I love you already.--Ophelia plays," she added. "Not so well or so much as Carolyn June," Ophelia said. "Maybe we'll have some music then some day; that ain't canned," Skinny suggested eagerly. "You women can use them rooms," Old Heck said, referring to the doors on each side of the piano. "Parker and me did have them but we've arranged to sleep in the bunk-house while you are here." "Carolyn June and I need but one," Ophelia said, "it isn't fair to run you out--" "You ain't running us," Old Heck answered, "we've talked it over and would rather." After dinner Ophelia and Carolyn June spent their time in settling themselves in their rooms. A small bath closet connected the two--crude a bit and somewhat unfinished; but a hot tub, the water supplied from a tank at the kitchen range, was enjoyed by both. Old Heck and Skinny helped with the trunks and then withdrew to the bunk-house. Old Heck shaved and Skinny put on a clean shirt. Skinny was not sure but this official love-making job was going to be interesting work and Old Heck himself was uncertain whether to cuss or rejoice--sometimes he was almost sorry to-morrow would be Parker's day to love and entertain Ophelia. CHAPTER IV THE UNUSED PLATE