I did have a dream of
something that must have been precious near a home. There might
have been an evanescent hint of flitting draperies and
inexperienced feet in it, but for the sake of living and working
in such a location as Miss Linda describes, I would gladly cut my
residence to a workroom and a sleeping room and kitchen."
"Won't do," said Linda. "A house is not a house in California
without a furnace and a bathroom. We are cold as blue blazes
here when the sun goes down and the salty fog creeps up from the
sea, and the icy mist rolls down from the mountains to chill our
bones; and when it has not rained for six months at a stretch,
your own private swimming pool is a comfort. This to add
verisimilitude to what everyone else in Lilac Valley is going to
tell you."
"I hadn't thought I would need a fire," said Peter, "and I was
depending on the ocean for my bathtub. I am particularly fond of
a salt rub."
So far, Eileen had not deigned to enter the conversation. It was
all so human, so far from her ideas of entertaining that the
disapproval on her lips was not sufficiently veiled to be
invisible, and
John Gilman, glancing in her direction, realized that he was
having the best time he had ever had in the Strong household
since the passing of his friends, Doctor and Mrs. Strong, vaguely
wondered why. And it occurred to him that Linda and Marian were
dominating the party. He said the most irritating thing possible
in the circumstances: "I am afraid you are not feeling well this
evening, Eileen.
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