I'll have so much of it as I want

   . Say,” I put it, “a house is to cost two thousand——”

   “Can't be done for the money,” says Boodels, positively.

   This is rather damping, but, on consideration, it's just what Boodels

    would

   say in anybody's case, except his own.

   I pass over his opinion and continue.

   “For argument's sake, let's say the house costs four thousand——” (This I feel sounds very pleasant, but what will the Building Society say, and how about the security? These, however, are details for subsequent consideration. One thing at a time: and these extras rather hamper one's ideas. So I say £4,000, and leave it at that.)

   “More,” says Boodels, “but you

    might

   do it for that.”

   I repeat “For argument's sake.” Formula admitted.

   Well then, I suppose it to cost four thousand, I can only spend two thousand. Very good, I'll only have, as it were, two thousand pounds' worth of house.

   “Half a house, in fact,” says Milburd.

   This is not the way to put it, but I am, I feel, right, somehow.

   I appeal to my friend Jenkyns Soames, who is writing a book on Scientific Economy.

   He replies that mine is correct, in theory, if taken from a certain point of view. We admit that this is a sensible way of putting it. And are, generally, satisfied.

   “There's one thing I

    must

   have,” I remember, aloud, as I sit down to draw a first plan, “my Study.”

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