On their return from Wisconsin they found the house decorated almost throughout with chrysanthemums. The new green-house at Hinsdale had devoted the whole autumn to this specialty.
Jessie sank down into one of her big new easy-chairs. "Nothing to do but to be happy," she sighed, with a long and delicious expiration.
She had her days, but those dates were of course overridden by her intimates.
Among the first to call were the Floyds. Walworth came over with a pocketful of cigars--to christen the new wall-paper, he said.
"Have you got any closets?" was one of his questions.
"Then I don't see but what you're all right--just as well off in a house that you rent as we are going to be in a house made to order. If ever I turn architect"--with a glance towards his wife--"I shall begin every house with a dozen closets and then pour in the various rooms around them. Four drawers in every one, and two rows of hooks. How stuff does accumulate!"
"Yes, the inside is rather nice," Jessie acknowledged; "but the outside might be improved. I have my own notion about the porch and the front door."
George turned to her, as if to ask what that notion might be.
Other friends followed--Brower among them.
He went about rather shyly, looking at the draperies and _grilles_ and mirrors. In the semi-gloom of the dining-room he threw his arm over Ogden's shoulder and looked into his eye with a friendly and affectionate smile.
"I never expected you to do it," he said. "You have left me as lonesome as the deuce."
"Because you're so careful; you always think things out--regular old Puritan sage."
"Oh, well," began George, with the air proper to a launching out into a broad and easy generalization, "aren't we New England Puritans the cream of the Anglo-Saxon race? And why does the Anglo-Saxon race rule the globe except because the individual Anglo-Saxon can rule himself?"
"Oh, I know," said Brower, discontentedly; "that's all right, up to a certain point."
"And how do you like your new house?" asked Mrs. Valentine, effusively. She addressed Jessie exclusively; with her everything went in the female line. "We are new converts too, you know--just over from the West Side. We are very much pleased, aren't we, Adrian?"