第112章

"That's all very well,"I said impatiently,"but when one has to live in a house,one wants something more than artistic irregularity.Lammerton knows how to build for everyday existence;he's a practical man,as well as a man of taste,he may not be a Christopher Wrenn,but he understands conveniences and comforts.His chimneys don't smoke,his windows are tight,he knows what systems of heating are the best,and whom to go to:

he knows what good plumbing is.I'm rather surprised you don't appreciate that,Maude,you're so particular as to what kind of rooms the children shall have,and you want a schoolroom-nursery with all the latest devices,with sun and ventilation.The Berringers wouldn't have had him,the Hollisters and Dickinsons wouldn't have had him if his work lacked taste.""And Nancy wouldn't have had him,"added Maude,and she smiled once more.

"Well,I haven't consulted Nancy,or anyone else,"I replied--a little tartly,perhaps."You don't seem to realize that some fashions may have a basis of reason.They are not all silly,as Lucia seems to think.If Lammerton builds satisfactory houses,he ought to be forgiven for being the fashion,he ought to have a chance."I got up to leave."Let's see what kind of a plan he'll draw up,at any rate."Her glance was almost indulgent.

"Of course,Hugh.I want you to be satisfied,to be pleased,"she said.

"And you?"I questioned,"you are to live in the house more than I.""Oh,I'm sure it will turn out all right,"she replied."Now you'd better run along,I know you're late.""I am late,"I admitted,rather lamely."If you don't care for Lammerton's drawings,we'll get another architect."Several years before Mr.Lammerton had arrived among us with a Beaux Arts moustache and letters of introduction to Mrs.Durrett and others.We found him the most adaptable,the most accommodating of young men,always ready to donate his talents and his services to private theatricals,tableaux,and fancy-dress balls,to take a place at a table at the last moment.One of his most appealing attributes was his "belief"in our city,--a form of patriotism that culminated,in later years,in "million population"clubs.I have often heard him declare,when the ladies had left the diningroom,that there was positively no limit to our future growth;and,incidentally,to our future wealth.Such sentiments as these could not fail to add to any man's popularity,and his success was a foregone conclusion.Almost before we knew it he was building the new Union Station of which he had foreseen the need,to take care of the millions to which our population was to be swelled;building the new Post Office that the unceasing efforts of Theodore Watling finally procured for us:building,indeed,Nancy's new house,the largest of our private mansions save Mr.Scherer's,a commission that had immediately brought about others from the Dickinsons and the Berringers....That very day Icalled on him in his offices at the top of one of our new buildings,where many young draftsmen were bending over their boards.I was ushered into his private studio.

"I suppose you want something handsome,Hugh,"he said,looking at me over his cigarette,"something commensurate with these fees I hear you are getting.""Well,I want to be comfortable,"I admitted.

We lunched at the Club together,where we talked over the requirements.

When he came to dinner the next week and spread out his sketch on the living-room table Maude drew in her breath.

"Why,Hugh,"she exclaimed in dismay,"it's as big as--as big as the White House!""Not quite,"I answered,laughing with Archie."We may as well take our ease in our old age.""Take our ease!"echoed Maude."We'll rattle 'round in it.I'll never get used to it.""After a month,Mrs.Paret,I'll wager you'll be wondering how you ever got along without it,"said Archie.

It was not as big as the White House,yet it could not be called small.

I had seen,to that.The long facade was imposing,dignified,with a touch of conventionality and solidity in keeping with my standing in the city.It was Georgian,of plum-coloured brick with marble trimmings and marble wedges over the ample windows,some years later I saw the house by Ferguson,of New York,from which Archie had cribbed it.At one end,off the dining-room,was a semicircular conservatory.There was a small portico,with marble pillars,and in the ample,swift sloping roof many dormers;servants'rooms,Archie explained.The look of anxiety on Maude's face deepened as he went over the floor plans,the reception-room;dining room to seat thirty,the servants'hall;and upstairs Maude's room,boudoir and bath and dress closet,my "apartments"adjoining on one side and the children's on the other,and the guest-rooms with baths....