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。