Laphamhadnotyetreachedthepicture—buyingstageoftherichman’sdevelopment，buttheydecoratedtheirhousewiththecostliestandmostabominablefrescoes；
theywentuponjourneys，andlavisheduponcarsandhotels；
theygavewithbothhandstotheirchurchandtoallthecharitiesitbroughtthemacquaintedwith；buttheydidnotknowhowtospendonsociety。UptoacertainperiodMrs。Laphamhadtheladiesofherneighbourhoodintotea，ashermotherhaddoneinthecountryinheryoungerdays。
Lapham’sideaofhospitalitywasstilltobringaheavy—buyingcustomerhometopot—luck；neitherofthemimagineddinners。
Theirtwogirlshadgonetothepublicschools，wheretheyhadnotgotonasfastassomeoftheothergirls；
sothattheywereayearbehindingraduatingfromthegrammar—school，whereLaphamthoughtthattheyhadgoteducationenough。Hiswifewasofadifferentmind；
shewouldhavelikedthemtogotosomeprivateschoolfortheirfinishing。ButIrenedidnotcareforstudy；
shepreferredhouse—keeping，andboththesisterswereafraidofbeingsnubbedbytheothergirls，whowereofadifferentsortfromthegirlsofthegrammar—school；
theseweremostlyfromtheparksandsquares，likethemselves。
Itendedintheirgoingpartofayear。Buttheelderhadanoddtasteofherownforreading，andshetooksomeprivatelessons，andreadbooksoutofthecirculatinglibrary；
thewholefamilywereamazedatthenumbersheread，andratherproudofit。
Theywerenotgirlswhoembroideredorabandonedthemselvestoneedle—work。Irenespentherabundantleisureinshoppingforherselfandhermother，ofwhombothdaughtersmadeakindofidol，buyinghercapsandlacesoutoftheirpin—money，andgettingherdressesfarbeyondhercapacitytowear。Irenedressedherselfverystylishly，andspenthoursonhertoileteveryday。
Hersisterhadasimplertaste，and，ifshehaddonealtogetherassheliked，mightevenhaveslighteddress。
Theyallthreetooklongnapseveryday，andsathourstogetherminutelydiscussingwhattheysawoutofthewindow。
Inherself—guidedsearchforself—improvement，theeldersisterwenttomanychurchlecturesonavastvarietyofsecularsubjects，andusuallycamehomewithacomicaccountofthem，andthatmademorematteroftalkforthewholefamily。Shecouldmakefunofnearlyeverything；
Irenecomplainedthatshescaredawaytheyoungmenwhomtheygotacquaintedwithatthedancing—schoolsociables。
Theywere，perhaps，notthewisestyoungmen。
ThegirlshadlearnedtodanceatPapanti’s；buttheyhadnotbelongedtotheprivateclasses。Theydidnotevenknowofthem，andagreatgulfdividedthemfromthosewhodid。
Theirfatherdidnotlikecompany，exceptsuchascameinformallyintheirway；andtheirmotherhadremainedtoorustictoknowhowtoattractitinthesophisticatedcityfashion。NoneofthemhadgraspedtheideaofEuropeantravel；buttheyhadgoneabouttomountainandsea—sideresorts，themotherandthetwogirls，wheretheywitnessedthespectaclewhichsuchresortspresentthroughoutNewEngland，ofmultitudesofgirls，lovely，accomplished，exquisitelydressed，humblygladofthepresenceofanysortofyoungman；buttheLaphamshadnoskillorcouragetomakethemselvesnoticed，farlesscourtedbythesolitaryinvalid，orclergyman，orartist。
Theylurkedhelplesslyaboutinthehotelparlours，lookingonandnotknowinghowtoputthemselvesforward。
Perhapstheydidnotcareagreatdealtodoso。
Theyhadnotaconceitofthemselves，butasortofcontentintheirownwaysthatonemaynoticeincertainfamilies。
Theverystrengthoftheirmutualaffectionwasabarriertoworldlyknowledge；theydressedforoneanother；
theyequippedtheirhousefortheirownsatisfaction；
theylivedrichlytothemselves，notbecausetheywereselfish，butbecausetheydidnotknowhowtodootherwise。
Theelderdaughterdidnotcareforsociety，apparently。
Theyounger，whowasbutthreeyearsyounger，wasnotyetquiteoldenoughtobeambitiousofit。Withallherwonderfulbeauty，shehadaninnocencealmostvegetable。
Whenherbeauty，whichinitsimmaturitywascrudeandharsh，suddenlyripened，shebloomedandglowedwiththeunconsciousnessofaflower；shenotmerelydidnotfeelherselfadmired，buthardlyknewherselfdiscovered。Ifshedressedwell，perhapstoowell，itwasbecauseshehadtheinstinctofdress；buttillshemetthisyoungmanwhowassonicetoheratBaieSt。Paul，shehadscarcelylivedadetached，individuallife，sowhollyhadshedependedonhermotherandhersisterforheropinions，almosthersensations。
Shetookaccountofeverythinghedidandsaid，ponderingit，andtryingtomakeoutexactlywhathemeant，totheinflectionofasyllable，theslightestmovementorgesture。Inthiswayshebeganforthefirsttimetoformideaswhichshehadnotderivedfromherfamily，andtheywerenonethelessherownbecausetheywereoftenmistaken。
Someofthethingsthathepartlysaid，partlylooked，shereportedtohermother，andtheytalkedthemover，astheydideverythingrelatingtothesenewacquaintances，andwroughtthemintothenovelpointofviewwhichtheywereacquiring。WhenMrs。Laphamreturnedhome，shesubmittedalltheaccumulatedfactsofthecase，andallherownconjectures，toherhusband，andcanvassedthemanew。
Atfirsthewasdisposedtoregardthewholeaffairasofsmallimportance，andshehadtoinsistalittlebeyondherownconvictionsinordertocounteracthisindifference。
\"Well，Icantellyou，\"shesaid，\"thatifyouthinktheywerenotthenicestpeopleyoueversaw，you’remightilymistaken。Theyhadaboutthebestmanners；
andtheyhadbeeneverywhere，andkneweverything。Ideclareitmademefeelasifwehadalwayslivedinthebackwoods。
Idon’tknowbutthemotherandthedaughterswouldhaveletyoufeelsoalittle，ifthey’dshowedoutalltheythought；
buttheyneverdid；andtheson——well，Ican’texpressit，Silas！Butthatyoungmanhadaboutperfectways。\"
\"SeemstruckuponIrene？\"askedtheColonel。
\"HowcanItell？Heseemedjustaboutasmuchstruckuponme。Anyway，hepaidmeasmuchattentionashedidher。
Perhapsit’smoretheway，now，tonoticethemotherthanitusedtobe。\"
Laphamventurednoconjecture，butasked，ashehadaskedalready，whothepeoplewere。
Mrs。Laphamrepeatedtheirname。Laphamnoddedhishead。
\"Doyouknowthem？Whatbusinessishein？\"
\"Iguessheain’tinanything，\"saidLapham。
\"Theywereverynice，\"saidMrs。Laphamimpartially。
\"Well，they’doughttobe，\"returnedtheColonel。
\"Neverdoneanythingelse。\"
\"Theydidn’tseemstuckup，\"urgedhiswife。
\"They’dnoneedto——withyou。Icouldbuyhimandsellhim，twiceover。\"
ThisanswersatisfiedMrs。Laphamratherwiththefactthanwithherhusband。\"Well，IguessIwouldn’tbrag，Silas，\"shesaid。
Inthewintertheladiesofthisfamily，whoreturnedtotownverylate，cametocallonMrs。Lapham。
Theywereagainverypolite。Butthemotherletdrop，inapologyfortheircallingalmostatnightfall，thatthecoachmanhadnotknownthewayexactly。
\"NearlyallourfriendsareontheNewLandorontheHill。\"
Therewasabarbinthisthatrankledaftertheladieshadgone；andoncomparingnoteswithherdaughter，Mrs。Laphamfoundthatabarbhadbeenlefttorankleinhermindalso。
\"Theysaidtheyhadneverbeeninthispartofthetownbefore。\"
Uponastrictsearchofhermemory，Irenecouldnotreportthatthefacthadbeenstatedwithanythinglikeinsinuation，butitwasthatwhichgaveitamorepenetratingeffect。
\"Oh，well，ofcourse，\"saidLapham，towhomthesefactswerereferred。\"Thosesortofpeoplehaven’tgotmuchbusinessupourway，andtheydon’tcome。It’safairthingallround。Wedon’ttroubletheHillortheNewLandmuch。\"
\"Weknowwheretheyare，\"suggestedhiswifethoughtfully。
\"Yes，\"assentedtheColonel。\"Iknowwheretheyare。
I’vegotalotoflandoverontheBackBay。\"
\"Youhave？\"eagerlydemandedhiswife。
\"Wantmetobuildonit？\"heaskedinreply，withaquizzicalsmile。
\"Iguesswecangetalonghereforawhile。\"
Thiswasatnight。InthemorningMrs。Laphamsaid——
\"Isupposeweoughttodothebestwecanforthechildren，ineveryway。\"
\"Isupposedwealwayshad，\"repliedherhusband。
\"Yes，wehave，accordingtoourlight。\"
\"Haveyougotsomenewlight？\"
\"Idon’tknowasit’slight。ButifthegirlsaregoingtokeeponlivinginBostonandmarryhere，Ipresumeweoughttotrytogetthemintosociety，someway；
oroughttodosomething。\"
\"Well，who’severdonemorefortheirchildrenthanwehave？\"
demandedLapham，withapangatthethoughtthathecouldpossiblyhavebeenout—done。\"Don’ttheyhaveeverythingtheywant？Don’ttheydressjustasyousay？Don’tyougoeverywherewith’em？Isthereeveranythinggoingonthat’sworthwhilethattheydon’tseeitorhearit？Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。Whydon’tyougetthemintosociety？There’smoneyenough！\"
\"There’sgottobesomethingbesidesmoney，Iguess，\"
saidMrs。Lapham，withahopelesssigh。\"Ipresumewedidn’tgotoworkjusttherightwayabouttheirschooling。
Weoughttohavegotthemintosomeschoolwherethey’dhavegotacquaintedwithcitygirls——girlswhocouldhelpthemalong。
NearlyeverybodyatMissSmillie’swasfromsomewhereelse。\"
\"Well，it’sprettylatetothinkaboutthatnow，\"
grumbledLapham。
\"Andwe’vealwaysgoneourownway，andnotlookedoutforthefuture。Weoughttohavegoneoutmore，andhadpeoplecometothehouse。Nobodycomes。\"
\"Well，isthatmyfault？Iguessnobodyevermakespeoplewelcomer。\"
\"Weoughttohaveinvitedcompanymore。\"
\"Whydon’tyoudoitnow？Ifit’sforthegirls，Idon’tcareifyouhavethehousefullallthewhile。\"
Mrs。Laphamwasforcedtoaconfessionfullofhumiliation。
\"Idon’tknowwhotoask。\"
\"Well，youcan’texpectmetotellyou。\"
\"No；we’rebothcountrypeople，andwe’vekeptourcountryways，andwedon’t，eitherofus，knowwhattodo。
You’vehadtoworksohard，andyourluckwassolongcoming，andthenitcamewithsucharush，thatwehaven’thadanychancetolearnwhattodowithit。It’sjustthesamewithIrene’slooks；Ididn’texpectshewasevergoingtohaveany，sheWASsuchaplainchild，and，allatonce，she’sblazedoutthisway。AslongasitwasPenthatdidn’tseemtocareforsociety，Ididn’tgivemuchmindtoit。
ButIcanseeit’sgoingtobedifferentwithIrene。
Idon’tbelievebutwhatwe’reinthewrongneighbourhood。\"
\"Well，\"saidtheColonel，\"thereain’taprettierlotontheBackBaythanmine。It’sonthewatersideofBeacon，andit’stwenty—eightfeetwideandahundredandfiftydeep。
Let’sbuildonit。\"
Mrs。Laphamwassilentawhile。\"No，\"shesaidfinally；
\"we’vealwaysgotalongwellenoughhere，andIguesswebetterstay。\"
Atbreakfastshesaidcasually：\"Girls，howwouldyouliketohaveyourfatherbuildontheNewLand？\"
Thegirlssaidtheydidnotknow。Itwasmoreconvenienttothehorse—carswheretheywere。
Mrs。Laphamstolealookofreliefatherhusband，andnothingmorewassaidofthematter。
ThemotherofthefamilywhohadcalleduponMrs。Laphambroughtherhusband’scards，andwhenMrs。Laphamreturnedthevisitshewasinsometroubleabouttheproperformofacknowledgingthecivility。TheColonelhadnocardbutabusinesscard，whichadvertisedtheprincipaldepotandtheseveralagenciesofthemineralpaint；
andMrs。Laphamdoubted，tillshewishedtogoodnessthatshehadneverseennorheardofthosepeople，whethertoignoreherhusbandinthetransactionaltogether，ortowritehisnameonherowncard。Shedecidedfinallyuponthismeasure，andshehadthereliefofnotfindingthefamilyathome。Asfarasshecouldjudge，Ireneseemedtosufferalittledisappointmentfromthefact。
Forseveralmonthstherewasnocommunicationbetweenthefamilies。ThentherecametoNankeenSquarealithographedcircularfromthepeopleontheHill，signedininkbythemother，andaffordingMrs。Laphamanopportunitytosubscribeforacharityofundeniablemeritandacceptability。Shesubmittedittoherhusband，whopromptlydrewachequeforfivehundreddollars。
Shetoreitintwo。\"Iwilltakeachequeforahundred，Silas，\"shesaid。
\"Why？\"heasked，lookingupguiltilyather。
\"Becauseahundredisenough；andIdon’twanttoshowoffbeforethem。\"
\"Oh，Ithoughtmaybeyoudid。Well，Pert，\"headded，havingsatisfiedhumannaturebythepreliminarythrust，\"Iguessyou’reaboutright。WhendoyouwantIshouldbegintobuildonBeaconStreet？\"Hehandedherthenewcheque，whereshestoodoverhim，andthenleanedbackinhischairandlookedupather。
\"Idon’twantyoushouldbeginatall。Whatdoyoumean，Silas？\"Sherestedagainstthesideofhisdesk。
\"Well，Idon’tknowasImeananything。Butshouldn’tyouliketobuild？Everybodybuilds，atleastonceinalifetime。\"
\"Whereisyourlot？Theysayit’sunhealthy，overthere。\"
UptoacertainpointintheirprosperityMrs。Laphamhadkeptstrictaccountofallherhusband’saffairs；
butastheyexpanded，andceasedtobeoftheretailnaturewithwhichwomensuccessfullygrapple，theintimateknowledgeofthemmadehernervous。Therewasaperiodinwhichshefeltthattheywerebeingruined，butthecrashhadnotcome；
and，sincehisgreatsuccess，shehadabandonedherselftoablindconfidenceinherhusband’sjudgment，whichshehadhithertofeltneededherrevision。Hecameandwent，daybyday，unquestioned。Heboughtandsoldandgotgain。
Sheknewthathewouldtellherifeverthingswentwrong，andheknewthatshewouldaskhimwhenevershewasanxious。
\"Itain’tunhealthywhereI’vebought，\"saidLapham，ratherenjoyingherinsinuation。\"IlookedafterthatwhenIwastrading；andIguessit’saboutashealthyontheBackBayasitishere，anyway。Igotthatlotforyou，Pert；Ithoughtyou’dwanttobuildontheBackBaysomeday。\"
\"Pshaw！\"saidMrs。Lapham，deeplypleasedinwardly，butnotgoingtoshowit，asshewouldhavesaid。
\"Iguessyouwanttobuildthereyourself。\"Sheinsensiblygotalittlenearertoherhusband。Theylikedtotalktoeachotherinthatbluntway；itistheNewEnglandwayofexpressingperfectconfidenceandtenderness。
\"Well，IguessIdo，\"saidLapham，notinsistingupontheunselfishviewofthematter。\"IalwaysdidlikethewatersideofBeacon。Thereain’tasightlierplaceintheworldforahouse。Andsomedaythere’sboundtobeadrive—wayallalongbehindthemhouses，betweenthemandthewater，andthenalotthereisgoingtobeworththegoldthatwillcoverit——COIN。
I’vehadoffersforthatlot，Pert，twiceoverwhatIgiveforit。Yes，Ihave。Don’tyouwanttorideovertheresomeafternoonwithmeandseeit？\"\"I’msatisfiedwherewebe，Si，\"saidMrs。Lapham，recurringtotheparlanceofheryouthinherpathosatherhusband’skindness。
Shesighedanxiously，forshefeltthetroubleawomanknowsinviewofanygreatchange。Theyhadoftentalkedofalteringoverthehouseinwhichtheylived，buttheyhadnevercometoit；andtheyhadoftentalkedofbuilding，butithadalwaysbeenahouseinthecountrythattheyhadthoughtof。\"Iwishyouhadsoldthatlot。\"
\"Ihain’t，\"saidthecolonelbriefly。
\"Idon’tknowasIfeelmuchlikechangingourwayofliving。\"
\"Guesswecouldlivethereprettymuchaswelivehere。
There’sallkindsofpeopleonBeaconStreet；youmustn’tthinkthey’reallbig—bugs。Iknowonepartythatlivesinahousehebuilttosell，andhiswifedon’tkeepanygirl。
Youcanhavejustasmuchstylethereasyouwant，orjustaslittle。Iguessweliveaswellasmostof’emnow，andsetasgoodatable。Andifyoucometostyle，Idon’tknowasanybodyhasgotmoreofarighttoputitonthanwhatwehave。\"
\"Well，Idon’twanttobuildonBeaconStreet，Si，\"
saidMrs。Laphamgently。
\"Justasyouplease，Persis。Iain’tinanyhurrytoleave。\"
Mrs。Laphamstoodflappingthechequewhichsheheldinherrighthandagainsttheedgeofherleft。
TheColonelstillsatlookingupatherface，andwatchingtheeffectofthepoisonofambitionwhichhehadartfullyinstilledintohermind。
Shesighedagain——ayieldingsigh。\"Whatareyougoingtodothisafternoon？\"
\"I’mgoingtotakeaturnontheBrightonroad，\"
saidtheColonel。
\"Idon’tbelievebutwhatIshouldliketogoalong，\"
saidhiswife。
\"Allright。Youhain’teverrodebehindthatmareyet，Pert，andIwantyoushouldseemeletheroutonce。
Theysaythesnow’sallpackeddownalready，andthegoingisA1。\"
Atfouro’clockintheafternoon，withacold，redwintersunsetbeforethem，theColonelandhiswifeweredrivingslowlydownBeaconStreetinthelight，high—seatedcutter，where，ashesaid，theywereaprettytightfit。Hewasholdingthemareintillthetimecametospeedher，andthemarewasspringilyjoltingoverthesnow，lookingintelligentlyfromsidetoside，andcockingthisearandthat，whilefromhernostrils，herheadtossingeasily，sheblewquick，irregularwhiffsofsteam。
\"Gay，ain’tshe？\"proudlysuggestedtheColonel。
\"SheISgay，\"assentedhiswife。
Theymetswiftlydashingsleighs，andletthempassoneitherhand，downthebeautifulavenuenarrowingwithanadmirablyevensky—lineintheperspective。
Theywerenotinahurry。Themarejouncedeasilyalong，andtheytalkedofthedifferenthousesoneithersideoftheway。Theyhadacrudetasteinarchitecture，andtheyadmiredtheworst。Therewerewomen’sfacesatmanyofthehandsomewindows，andonceinawhileayoungmanonthepavementcaughthishatsuddenlyfromhishead，andbowedinresponsetosomesalutationfromwithin。
\"Idon’tthinkourgirlswouldlookverybadbehindoneofthosebigpanes，\"saidtheColonel。
\"No，\"saidhiswifedreamily。
\"Where’stheYOUNGman？Didhecomewiththem？\"
\"No；hewastospendthewinterwithafriendofhisthathasaranchinTexas。Iguesshe’sgottodosomething。\"
\"Yes；gentlemaningasaprofessionhasgottoplayoutinagenerationortwo。\"
Neitherofthemspokeofthelot，thoughLaphamknewperfectlywellwhathiswifehadcomewithhimfor，andshewasawarethatheknewit。Thetimecamewhenhebroughtthemaredowntoawalk，andthenslowedupalmosttoastop，whiletheybothturnedtheirheadstotherightandlookedatthevacantlot，throughwhichshowedthefrozenstretchoftheBackBay，asectionoftheLongBridge，andtheroofsandsmoke—stacksofCharlestown。
\"Yes，it’ssightly，\"saidMrs。Lapham，liftingherhandfromthereins，onwhichshehadunconsciouslylaidit。
Laphamsaidnothing，butheletthemareoutalittle。
Thesleighsandcutterswerethickeningroundthem。
OntheMilldamitbecamedifficulttorestrictthemaretothelong，slowtrotintowhichheletherbreak。
Thebeautifullandscapewidenedtorightandleftofthem，withthesunsetredderandredder，overthelow，irregularhillsbeforethem。TheycrossedtheMilldamintoLongwood；andhere，fromthecrestofthefirstupland，stretchedtwoendlesslines，inwhichthousandsofcutterswentandcame。Someofthedriverswerealreadyspeedingtheirhorses，andtheseshottoandfrooninnerlines，betweentheslowlymovingvehiclesoneithersideoftheroad。Hereandthereaburlymountedpoliceman，bulgingoverthepommelofhisM’Clellansaddle，joltedby，silentlygesturinganddirectingthecourse，andkeepingitallundertheeyeofthelaw。ItwaswhatBartleyHubbardcalled\"acarnivaloffashionandgaietyontheBrightonroad，\"inhisaccountofit。Butmostofthepeopleinthoseelegantsleighsandcuttershadsolittletheairofthegreatworldthatoneknowingitatallmusthavewonderedwheretheyandtheirmoneycamefrom；
andthegaietyofthemen，atleast，wasexpressed，likethatofColonelLapham，inagrimalmostfierce，alertness；thewomenworeanairofcourageousapprehension。
AtacertainpointtheColonelsaid，\"I’mgoingtoletherout，Pert，\"andheliftedandthendroppedthereinslightlyonthemare’sback。
Sheunderstoodthesignal，and，asanadmirersaid，\"shelaiddowntoherwork。\"NothingintheimmutableironofLapham’sfacebetrayedhissenseoftriumphasthemarelefteverythingbehindherontheroad。
Mrs。Lapham，ifshefeltfear，wastoobusyholdingherflyingwrapsabouther，andshieldingherfacefromthescudoficeflungfromthemare’sheels，tobetrayit；
exceptfortherushofherfeet，themarewasassilentasthepeoplebehindher；themusclesofherbackandthighsworkedmoreandmoreswiftly，likesomemechanismrespondingtoanalienforce，andsheshottotheendofthecourse，grazingahundredencounteredandrivalsledgesinherpassage，butunmolestedbythepolicemen，whoprobablysawthatthemareandtheColonelknewwhattheywereabout，and，atanyrate，werenotthesortofmentointerferewithtrottinglikethat。AttheendoftheheatLaphamdrewherin，andturnedoffonasidestreetintoBrookline。
\"Tellyouwhat，Pert，\"hesaid，asiftheyhadbeenquietlyjoggingalong，withtimeforuninterruptedthoughtsincehelastspoke，\"I’veaboutmadeupmymindtobuildonthatlot。\"
\"Allright，Silas，\"saidMrs。Lapham；\"Isupposeyouknowwhatyou’reabout。Don’tbuildonitforme，that’sall。\"
Whenshestoodinthehallathome，takingoffherthings，shesaidtothegirls，whowerehelpingher，\"Somedayyourfatherwillgetkilledwiththatmare。\"
\"Didhespeedher？\"askedPenelope，theelder。
Shewasnamedafterhergrandmother，whohadinherturninheritedfromanotherancestressthenameoftheHomericmatronwhosepeculiarmeritswonheraplaceevenamongthePuritanFaiths，Hopes，Temperances，andPrudences。
PenelopewasthegirlwhoseoddseriousfacehadstruckBartleyHubbardinthephotographofthefamilygroupLaphamshowedhimonthedayoftheinterview。Herlargeeyes，likeherhair，werebrown；theyhadthepeculiarlookofnear—sightedeyeswhichiscalledmooning；hercomplexionwasofadarkpallor。
Hermotherdidnotreplytoaquestionwhichmightbeconsideredalreadyanswered。\"Hesayshe’sgoingtobuildonthatlotofhis，\"shenetremarked，unwindingthelongveilwhichshehadtiedroundhernecktoholdherbonneton。Sheputherhatandcloakonthehalltable，tobecarriedupstairslater，andtheyallwentintotea：
creamedoysters，birds，hotbiscuit，twokindsofcake，anddishesofstewedandcannedfruitandhoney。
Thewomendinedaloneatone，andtheColonelatthesamehourdown—town。Buthelikedagoodhotmealwhenhegothomeintheevening。Thehouseflaredwithgas；
andtheColonel，beforehesatdown，wentaboutshuttingtheregisters，throughwhichaweldingheatcamevolumingupfromthefurnace。
\"I’llbethedeathofthatdarkeyYET，\"hesaid，\"ifhedon’tstopmakingonsuchafire。Theonlywaytogetanycomfortoutofyourfurnaceistotakecareofityourself。\"
\"Well，\"answeredhiswifefrombehindtheteapot，ashesatdownattablewiththisthreat，\"there’snothingtopreventyou，Si。Andyoucanshovelthesnowtoo，ifyouwantto——tillyougetovertoBeaconStreet，anyway。\"
\"IguessIcankeepmyownsidewalkonBeaconStreetclean，ifItakethenotion。\"
\"Ishouldliketoseeyouatit，\"retortedhiswife。
\"Well，youkeepasharplookout，andmaybeyouwill。\"
Theirtauntswerereallyexpressionsofaffectionateprideineachother。Theylikedtohaveit，giveandtake，thatway，astheywouldhavesaid，rightalong。
\"AmancanbeamanonBeaconStreetaswellasanywhere，Iguess。\"
\"Well，I’lldothewash，asIusedtoinLumberville，\"
saidMrs。Lapham。\"Ipresumeyou’llletmehavesettubs，Si。YouknowIain’tsoyounganymore。\"
ShepassedIreneacupofOolongtea，——noneofthemhadasufficientlycultivatedpalateforSou—chong，——andthegirlhandedittoherfather。\"Papa，\"sheasked，\"youdon’treallymeanthatyou’regoingtobuildoverthere？\"
\"Don’tI？Youwaitandsee，\"saidtheColonel，stirringhistea。
\"Idon’tbelieveyoudo，\"pursuedthegirl。
\"Isthatso？Ipresumeyou’dhatetohaveme。
Yourmotherdoes。\"HesaidDOOS，ofcourse。
