Breaking the Ice

For years they had clung to the one field which faced their windows, and it
was only after much argument and many heartburnings, that they had at
last consented that it should share the fate of the others. A broad road
was driven through their quiet domain, the quarter was re-named "The
Wilderness," and three square, staring, uncompromising villas began to
sprout up on the other side. With sore hearts, the two shy little old
maids watched their steady progress, and speculated as to what fashion
of neighbors chance would bring into the little nook which had always
been their own.

And at last they were all three finished. Wooden balconies and
overhanging eaves had been added to them, so that, in the language of
the advertisement, there were vacant three eligible Swiss-built villas,
with sixteen rooms, no basement, electric bells, hot and cold water, and
every modern convenience, including a common tennis lawn, to be let
at L100 a year, or L1,500 purchase. So tempting an offer did not long
remain open. Within a few weeks the card had vanished from number one,
and it was known that Admiral Hay Denver, V. C., C. B., with Mrs. Hay
Denver and their only son, were about to move into it. The news brought
peace to the hearts of the Williams sisters. They had lived with a
settled conviction that some wild impossible colony, some shouting,
singing family of madcaps, would break in upon their peace.