“Have you written to Bessie?”

“Written to Bessie?  What for?”

“Why, to come and get ready to start on her mission.”

“No, indeed; I supposed you had forgotten that absurd notion.”

“Not at all absurd.  I mentioned it to Jim, and he was delighted.  Offered to go up and escort her down.  He said they could go out in a different direction every day and do a great deal of good in the course of a week.”

“Jack, I am ashamed of you!  Don’t mention the subject to me again.”

“What shall I say to Jim?”

[Illustration:  WOOD PANELS FOR WALLS AND CEILINGS, WITH IRREGULARITIES IN LEATHER, PAINT AND PAPER.]

“You needn’t say anything to Jim.  Tell him I am going to invite Bessie to visit us in the new house, and if he is in this part of the world I will send for him at the same time.”

“And that will be a full year, for the house is hardly begun.”

“Yes, a full year.”

[Illustration]

CHAPTER XVIII.

THE HOUSE FINISHED AND THE HOME BEGUN.

It was indeed a full year for Jill before Bessie received the promised invitation.  Not merely full as to its complement of days, but full of new cares, interests and activities.  It is needless to say it was also a happy year.  Building a house for a home is a healthful experience, a liberal education to one who can give personal attention to it; who has some knowledge of plans with enough imagination to have a fair conception of what they will be when executed; who is content to receive a reasonable return for a given outlay, not anxious to get the best end of every bargain, nor over-fearful of being cheated; who cares more for home comfort than for a fine display, and whose soul is never vexed by the comments of Mrs. Grundy, nor tormented by the decrees of fashion.

The question was raised, whether the house should be built by contract or by “day’s work.”  The worldly-wise friends advised the former.  Otherwise they affirmed the cost of the house would exceed the appropriation by fifty, if not a hundred, per cent., since it would be for the interest of both architect and builders to make the house as costly and the job as long as possible.  And, while it was doubtless true that “day work” is likely to be better than “job work,” still, if the plans and specifications were clearly drawn and the contract made as strong as the pains and penalties of the law could make it, the contractor might be compelled to keep his agreement and furnish “first-class” work.

Jill’s father settled this point at once.  “It is true,” said he, “that the plans and specifications should be clearly drawn, that you may see the end from the beginning, and it will be well to carefully estimate the cost, lest, having begun to build, you should be unable to finish.  But I am neither willing to hold any man to an agreement, however legal it may be, that requires him to give