登陆注册
15479100000025

第25章 Chapter X(1)

The home atmosphere which they established when they returned from their honeymoon was a great improvement in taste over that which had characterized the earlier life of Mrs. Cowperwood as Mrs. Semple. They had decided to occupy her house, on North Front Street, for a while at least. Cowperwood, aggressive in his current artistic mood, had objected at once after they were engaged to the spirit of the furniture and decorations, or lack of them, and had suggested that he be allowed to have it brought more in keeping with his idea of what was appropriate. During the years in which he had been growing into manhood he had come instinctively into sound notions of what was artistic and refined. He had seen so many homes that were more distinguished and harmonious than his own. One could not walk or drive about Philadelphia without seeing and being impressed with the general tendency toward a more cultivated and selective social life. Many excellent and expensive houses were being erected. The front lawn, with some attempt at floral gardening, was achieving local popularity. In the homes of the Tighes, the Leighs, Arthur Rivers, and others, he had noticed art objects of some distinction--bronzes, marbles, hangings, pictures, clocks, rugs.

It seemed to him now that his comparatively commonplace house could be made into something charming and for comparatively little money.

The dining-room for instance which, through two plain windows set in a hat side wall back of the veranda, looked south over a stretch of grass and several trees and bushes to a dividing fence where the Semple property ended and a neighbor's began, could be made so much more attractive. That fence--sharp-pointed, gray palings--could be torn away and a hedge put in its place. The wall which divided the dining-room from the parlor could be knocked through and a hanging of some pleasing character put in its place. A bay-window could be built to replace the two present oblong windows--a bay which would come down to the floor and open out on the lawn via swiveled, diamond-shaped, lead-paned frames. All this shabby, nondescript furniture, collected from heaven knows where--partly inherited from the Semples and the Wiggins and partly bought--could be thrown out or sold and something better and more harmonious introduced. He knew a young man by the name of Ellsworth, an architect newly graduated from a local school, with whom he had struck up an interesting friendship--one of those inexplicable inclinations of temperament. Wilton Ellsworth was an artist in spirit, quiet, meditative, refined. From discussing the quality of a certain building on Chestnut Street which was then being erected, and which Ellsworth pronounced atrocious, they had fallen to discussing art in general, or the lack of it, in America. And it occurred to him that Ellsworth was the man to carry out his decorative views to a nicety. When he suggested the young man to Lillian, she placidly agreed with him and also with his own ideas of how the house could be revised.

So while they were gone on their honeymoon Ellsworth began the revision on an estimated cost of three thousand dollars, including the furniture. It was not completed for nearly three weeks after their return; but when finished made a comparatively new house.

The dining-room bay hung low over the grass, as Frank wished, and the windows were diamond-paned and leaded, swiveled on brass rods.

The parlor and dining-room were separated by sliding doors; but the intention was to hang in this opening a silk hanging depicting a wedding scene in Normandy. Old English oak was used in the dining-room, an American imitation of Chippendale and Sheraton for the sitting-room and the bedrooms. There were a few simple water-colors hung here and there, some bronzes of Hosmer and Powers, a marble venus by Potter, a now forgotten sculptor, and other objects of art--nothing of any distinction. Pleasing, appropriately colored rugs covered the floor. Mrs. Cowperwood was shocked by the nudity of the Venus which conveyed an atmosphere of European freedom not common to America; but she said nothing. It was all harmonious and soothing, and she did not feel herself capable to judge. Frank knew about these things so much better than she did.

Then with a maid and a man of all work installed, a program of entertaining was begun on a small scale.

Those who recall the early years of their married life can best realize the subtle changes which this new condition brought to Frank, for, like all who accept the hymeneal yoke, he was influenced to a certain extent by the things with which he surrounded himself.

Primarily, from certain traits of his character, one would have imagined him called to be a citizen of eminent respectability and worth. He appeared to be an ideal home man. He delighted to return to his wife in the evenings, leaving the crowded downtown section where traffic clamored and men hurried. Here he could feel that he was well-stationed and physically happy in life. The thought of the dinner-table with candles upon it (his idea); the thought of Lillian in a trailing gown of pale-blue or green silk--he liked her in those colors; the thought of a large fireplace flaming with solid lengths of cord-wood, and Lillian snuggling in his arms, gripped his immature imagination. As has been said before, he cared nothing for books, but life, pictures, trees, physical contact--these, in spite of his shrewd and already gripping financial calculations, held him. To live richly, joyously, fully--his whole nature craved that.

And Mrs. Cowperwood, in spite of the difference in their years, appeared to be a fit mate for him at this time. She was once awakened, and for the time being, clinging, responsive, dreamy.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 倾世艳后

    倾世艳后

    前世,西林婧是国公府不受宠的嫡女,是世人眼里的“灾星”,是丈夫争夺皇位的棋子,是弑君的罪妃,最后死于非命,不得善终。重活一世,历经蜕变,她成了东宫的太子妃。而看似病弱的太子殿下竟是个深藏不露的腹黑男!对萧天胤来说,天下不过是他手中的一盘棋局,他算好了一切,唯独没算到自己会对她情根深种。
  • 风起云涌:异神界闻录

    风起云涌:异神界闻录

    莫名被抓,莫名认亲,莫名进入另一个世界,简单的事件下隐藏着未知的过去。。。。。。司马琉珞这个废柴要如何在茫茫的异神界立足。。。。。。
  • 仙魔生死界

    仙魔生死界

    神界与阿修罗界大战,被好友姐姐背叛,即将陨落之际,忽然天地轮转,审判之星被遮掩,一线生机出现,李轩辕的一丝神魂进入凡间,来到物是人非的凡间,失去记忆,懵懂无知的修行,记忆召回的难以接受,“为什么?”李轩辕愤怒抬头,看向苍天,“我要报仇,踏平十二重天!”光怪陆离的凡间,荒诞不羁的情节,无所安放的心,一切都从头开始了!
  • 福妻驾到

    福妻驾到

    现代饭店彪悍老板娘魂穿古代。不分是非的极品婆婆?三年未归生死不明的丈夫?心狠手辣的阴毒亲戚?贪婪而好色的地主老财?吃上顿没下顿的贫困宭境?不怕不怕,神仙相助,一技在手,天下我有!且看现代张悦娘,如何身带福气玩转古代,开面馆、收小弟、左纳财富,右傍美男,共绘幸福生活大好蓝图!!!!快本新书《天媒地聘》已经上架开始销售,只要3.99元即可将整本书抱回家,你还等什么哪,赶紧点击下面的直通车,享受乐乐精心为您准备的美食盛宴吧!)
  • 斗罗大陆之创帝

    斗罗大陆之创帝

    千万年以前,斗罗大陆还未形成。神界三族,星祭,创圣,圣裔推选十二创帝维持天地平衡。约千年过后,十二创帝分为两派斗争。创世神死,陷入了轮回,与此同时,十一创帝也同样陷入了轮回,事情还没有结束,而是刚刚开始……
  • 佛说辩意长者子所问经

    佛说辩意长者子所问经

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。
  • 我是大歌手

    我是大歌手

    这是一部投错区的小说!这是一部写着写着就跑题的小说!但是作者君懒得改!好,说正经的!本书想当然的穿越平行世界,别问为什么,剧情需要!情节狗血老套,装逼打脸灌水,作者君都几乎想要弃书不写!好,说正经的!不服憋着,作者君是不会改的,想到什么写什么!如有雷同,是我抄袭!喜欢,就是这么任性!滴滴滴……新手司机,上车需谨慎!
  • 浮尘往事

    浮尘往事

    在浩瀚无垠的宇宙中,被人类文明之火照亮之地不过是一粒浮尘而已。然而浮尘,亦有往事。
  • 电视节目质量模型与控制方法

    电视节目质量模型与控制方法

    本书系统阐释了如何理解和认识电视节目质量以及如何科学量化地评价电视节目质量,将服务质量差距模型、IS09000质量管理体系标准和六西格玛质量管理模式的理论知识应用于电视节目服务质量管理、控制的方法及策略的理论研究和实践探索当中,对电视媒体的管理者具有重要的参考和指导价值。
  • 傲世王妃

    傲世王妃

    穿越过来就让设计,还好她有智能商店,这个傲娇的东西。是与他命里犯冲?每次都是自己伤痕累累,萧子陌,你最好快点弄死姐姐,不然姐就弄死你!