“But I thought you said you wanted some one who had sense enough to put a thoroughly capable and accomplished housewife’s notions of what a house should be into readable prose?”

“So I did,” responded the editor, “and I still want it, and am likely to want it for a long time.  I do not wish articles on House-building but on Home-building, and you will never get such from an architect.”

“Don’t be too sure of that,” said the other, who had had a taste of the writer’s quality before.  “Suppose he should wish to try it?”

“Well,—­let him,” was the grumbled assent.

The editor did not believe in architects.  He had built one or two houses that did well enough on paper, but were simply appalling in their unfitness when he came to try to adapt the occupants to the earthly tabernacles which had been erected for their use and enjoyment.  He had read house-building books, examined plans and discoursed with architects until he verily believed that the whole business was a snare and a delusion.  After this experience he had settled down to the serious belief that the best way to build a house was to erect first a square building containing but one room, and then add on rooms as the occupants learned their needs or the family increased in numbers.  In this way, he stoutly maintained, had been erected all those old houses, whose irregularity of outline and frequent surprises in interior arrangement never cease to charm.  He asserted boldly that a man’s house ought to grow around him like an oyster’s-shell, and should fit him just as perfectly; in fact, that it should be created, not built.  From architects and their works he prayed devoutly to be delivered, and having theretofore illustrated that part of the proverb which avers that “fools build houses,” he declared himself determined thenceforth only to illustrate the latter-part of the proverb:—­“and wise men live in them.”

Having, however, became sponsor in some sort for what Mr. Gardner might write, he was bound to give attention to it.  Very much to his surprise, he found it instead of a thankless task, a most agreeable entertainment.  Seldom, indeed, have wit and wisdom been so happily blended as in these pages.  The narrative that runs through the whole constitutes a silver thread of merriment on which the pearls of sense are strung with lavish freedom.  Every page is sure to contain the subject-matter for a hearty laugh close-linked with a lesson that may well be conned by the most serious-minded.  The philosophy of home-building and home-improving is expounded with a subtlety of humor and an aptness of illustration as rare as they are relishable.

There are three classes of people to whom this little volume with its quaint descriptions and wise suggestions will be peculiarly welcome.