`My dear, it ought not to take anybody of ordinary discernment a minute and a quarter to perceive that he is simply the dearest fellow that ever lived,' said Rose. `I discovered it three seconds after I first beheld him, and was desperately in love with him before he had fairly finished his first bow after introduction.'

`And was he equally prompt?' asked Katy.

`He says so,' replied Rose, with a pretty blush. `But then, you know, he could hardly say less after such a frank confession on my part. It is no more than decent of him to make believe, even if it is not true. Now, Katy look at Boston, and see if you don't love it!'

The cab had now turned into Boylston Street, and on the right hand lay the Common, green as summer after the autumn rains, with the elm arches leafy still Long, slant beams of afternoon sun were filtering through the boughs and falling across the turf and the paths, where people were walking and sitting, and children and babies playing together. It was a delightful scene, and Katy received an impression of space and cheer and air and freshness, which ever after was associated with her recollection of Boston.

Rose was quite satisfied with her raptures as they drove through Charles Street, between the Common and the Public Garden, all ablaze with autumn flowers, and down the length of Beacon Street with the blue bay shining between the handsome houses on the water side. Every vestibule and bay window was gay with potted plants and flower boxes, and a concourse of happy-looking people, on foot, on horseback, and in carriages, was surging to and fro like an equal, prosperous tide, while the sunlight glorified all.

"`Boston shows a soft Venetian side",' quoted Katy, after a while. `I know now what Mr Lowell meant when he wrote that. I don't believe there is a more beautiful place in the world.'

`Why, of course there isn't,' retorted Rose, who was a most devoted little Bostonian, in spite of the fact that she had lived in Washington nearly all her life. `I've not seen much beside, to be sure, but that is no matter: I know it is true. It is the dream of my life to come into the city to live. I don't care what part I live in West End, South End, North End; it's all one to me, so long as it is Boston!'

`But don't you like Longwood?' asked Katy, looking out admiringly at the pretty places set amid vines and shrubberies which they were now passing. `It looks so very pretty and pleasant.'

`Yes, it's well enough for anyone who has a taste for natural beauties,' replied Rose. `I haven't; I never had. There is nothing I hate so much as nature! I'm a born townie. I'd rather live in one room over Jordan and Marsh's, and see the world wag past, than be the owner of the most romantic villa that ever was built, wherever it maybe situated.'

The cab now turned in at a gate and followed a curving drive bordered with trees to a pretty stone house with a porch embowered with Virginia creepers, before which it stopped.

`Here we are!' cried Rose, springing out. `Now, Katy, you mustn't even take time to sit down before I show you the dearest baby that ever was sent to this sinful earth. Here, let me take your bag; come straight upstairs, and I will exhibit her to you.

They ran up accordingly, and Rose took Katy into a large sunny nursery, where, tied with pink ribbons into a little basket chair and watched over by a pretty young nurse, sat a dear, fat, fair baby, so exactly like Rose in miniature that no one could possibly have mistaken the relationship. The baby began to laugh and coo as soon as it caught sight of its gay little mother, and exhibited just such another dimple as hers, in the middle of a pink cheek. Katy was enchanted.

`Oh, you darling!' she said. `Would she come to me, do you think, Rose?'

`Why, of course she will!' replied Rose, picking up the baby as if she had been a pillow, and stuffing her into Katy's arms head first. `Now, just look at her, and tell me if you ever saw anything so enchanting