—­to establish and maintain a high social standing with no adventitious aids.  You cannot at present afford a large establishment, but you must have one that is striking and elegant.  I was first attracted to this house by its external appearance—­not especially the form, but the material, as we often see a lady of inferior physique whose rich and tasteful attire makes her the observed of all observers.”

[Illustration:  BRICKS AND BOULDERS ON GRANITE UNDERPINNING.]

“Aunt Melville is inclined to be dumpy, and is immensely proud of her taste in dress.

“’The walls near the ground—­the underpinning, I suppose—­is of solid granite blocks, irregular in size, rough and rugged in appearance.  Indeed, the impression is of exceeding solidity and strength, perhaps because the walls slope backward as they rise.  The first story is also of stones, but such peculiar stones as I never expected to see in a dwelling house, precisely like those used in the country for fences.’”

“How exquisite!” exclaimed Bessie, clapping her hands in ecstacy.

    “’Some of them seemed to be covered with the gray lichens that
    are found growing on rocks,—­’

“How delicious!”

“’—­but I very much fear these will be destroyed by the action of the lime in the mortar.  The stones vary in color, and at a little distance the effect is like a rich mosaic.  The corners of the house and the sides of the windows are made of peculiarly dark, rough-looking bricks that harmonize well with the general tone of the stone walls.  The second story is of wood, covered with shingles that have not been painted, but simply oiled, and they have turned a dark reddish-brown.  I found on inquiry that they are California red wood.  The roof is of red tiles, and the chromatic effect of the entire building is very charming and aristocratic.’”

“That would suit us perfectly,” said Jack, “but I think our aristocratic aunt is more tiresome than the architect.  Jim is asleep and Bessie is on the verge of slumber.”  But just at that moment Bessie gave a piercing scream and bounded from the sofa in uncontrollable affright, while an army of reckless June bugs came dashing in through the open, unscreened windows.

CHAPTER XII.

FROM MATHEMATICS TO ANCIENT BRIC-A-BRAC.

Taking advantage of the incursion of the June bugs, Jim withdrew in good order, and Bessie shortly after retired with her tin candlestick.

“Do you seriously intend to allow that pair of incompatibles to go off to-morrow looking for old furniture and antiquated household implements?” asked Jill.

“Most certainly I do.  It will he the greatest fun in the world.  I only wish we could go as invisible spectators; but, on the whole, we shall best enjoy imagining what they will say or do if left to their own devices, knowing, as we should, that our presence would prevent some of their wildest absurdities.  I’m awfully sorry they are not going to build and furnish a house somewhere in this vicinity, according to their combined notions.”