“No, not at all. Mr. Allen did not care about the garden, and never went into it.”

With a triumphant smile of self-satisfaction, the General wished he could do the same, for he never entered his, without being vexed in some way or other, by its falling short of his plan.

“How were Mr. Allen’s succession-houses worked?” describing the nature of his own as they entered them.

“ Mr. Allen had only one small hothouse, which Mrs. Allen had the use of for her plants in winter, and there was a fire in it now and then.”

“He is a happy man!” said the General, with a look of very happy contempt.