To Burke Denby himself, late of Denby House (perhaps the most aloof of all the "old colonials"), the place was a nightmare of horror. But because his wife's eyes had glistened, and because his wife's lips had caroled a joyous "Oh, Burke, I'd _love_ this place, darling!"--and because, most important of all, if it must be confessed, the rent was only twenty dollars a month, he had uttered a grim "All right, we'll take it." And the selection of the home was accomplished. Not until they were on the way to the hotel that night did there come to the young husband the full realizing sense that housekeeping meant furniture. "Oh, of course I _knew_ it did," he groaned, half-laughingly, after his first despairing ejaculation. "But I just didn't think; that's all. Our furniture at home we'd always had. But of course it does have to be bought--at first." "Of course! And _I_ didn't think, either," laughed Helen. "You see, we'd always had _our_ furniture, too, I guess. But then, it'll be grand to buy it. I love new things!" Burke Denby frowned. "Buy it! That's all right--if we had the money to pay. Heaven only knows how much it'll cost. I don't." "But, Burke, you've got _some_ money, haven't you? You took a big roll out of your pocket last night." He gave her a scornful glance. "Big roll, indeed! How far do you suppose that would go toward furnishing a home? Of course I've got some money--a little left from my allowance--but that doesn't mean I've got enough to furnish a home." "Then let's give up housekeeping and board," proposed Helen. "Then we won't have to buy any furniture. And I think I'd like it better anyhow; and I _know_ you would--after you'd sampled my cooking," she finished laughingly. But her husband did not smile. The frown only deepened as he ejaculated:-- "Board! Not much, Helen! We _couldn't_ board at a decent place. 'Twould cost too much. And as for the cheap variety--great Scott, Helen! I wonder if you think I'd stand for that! Heaven knows we'll be enough gossiped about, as it is, without our planting ourselves right under the noses of half the tabby-cats in town for them to 'oh' and 'ah' and 'um' every time we turn around or don't turn around! No, ma'am, Helen! We'll shut ourselves up somewhere within four walls we can call home, even if we have to furnish it with only two chairs and a bed and a kitchen stove. It'll be ours--and we'll be where we won't be stared at." Helen laughed lightly. "Dear, dear, Burke, how you do run on! Just as if one minded a little staring! I rather like it, myself,--if I know my clothes and my back hair are all right." "Ugh! Helen!" "Well, I do," she laughed, uptilting her chin. "It makes one feel so sort of--er--important. But I won't say 'board' again, _never_,--unless you begin to scold at my cooking," she finished with an arch glance.