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。

【推荐阅读】幽幽深宫，醒来一梦似千年，重生于下堂妃身躯中的她，将如何手刃仇人? 点击阅读