Marilyn: Ellen, I'd like your opinion

Ellen: About what?

Marilyn: Well, Richard and I feel that with a baby coming we need to have our own place to live.

Ellen: Oh.

Marilyn: Well, what do you think about Richard and me looking for a small house or an apartment at this point in our lives?

Ellen: We love having you here, and there is room, and...and when the baby comes, the baby can stay in your room for a while.

Marilyn: Richard feels we need to find a small house.

Ellen: I remember when I was pregnant with Richard. Philip and I were living with Grandma and Grandpa. Philip was a young doctor, and he kept talking about having a house of our own. It's natural.

Marilyn: What did you do ?

Ellen: We looked at a lot of houses.

Marilyn: Did you find one?

Ellen: Oh, not at first. We couldn't afford it. Grandpa wanted to lend us the money to buy one, but Philip is too independent. He didn't want to borrow any money.

Marilyn: Sounds like Richard.

Ellen: They're all alike. Richard is a real Stewart. He's independent, and sometimes just stubborn.

Marilyn: When did you buy a house?

Ellen: After Richard was born. I was teaching music, and Philip was opening his first medical office.

Marilyn: Where was the house?

Ellen: Right here in Riverdale. Of course, it was a small house, but just right for us.

Marilyn: It's funny. History repeats itself. Now Richard and I are having a baby, and we probably won't be able to afford a house right away, either.

Ellen: Why don't you look at some houses, Marilyn?

Marilyn: Good idea.

Ellen: Look in the real-estate section of Sunday's Times. You'll learn a lot.

Marilyn: Maybe we should speak to a real-estate agent about a house.

Ellen: And a bank about a mortgage.

Marilyn: I'll talk to Richard about it. I think it's a good idea, Ellen. We can learn a lot by    asking.

Ellen: And if I can be of any help, let me know. As a matter of fact, my friend Virginia Martinelli is a real-estate agent.

Marilyn: Good.

Ellen: You won't believe this, but she sold us our first house and this one.

Marilyn: Well, I'll tell Richard, and we'll go to see her. Do you think the skirt length is right, Ellen? Do you think it's too long?

Ellen: I think the skirt is just right. Are you planning to attach a train to it?

Marilyn: No. No train. Just the dress. But I am going to make a headpiece of lace.

Ellen: That dress is gorgeous.

Marilyn: Thanks, Ellen. And thanks for the advice about the house. I'll talk to Richard about it the minute the comes home.

Ellen: And remember, we love having you here. There's no need to rush.