"The top I have indicated in the drawing. _And to have a rose window_. You see the rose window in the drawing," said John, anticipating the question which was on Kitty's lips.
"Yes," said she, "but why don't you say a round window?"
"_The first floor fronts would be arcaded round with small columns with carved capitals and pointed arches.
"At either corner of front, in lieu of present Ionic columns, carry up octagonal turrets with pinnacles at top_.
"You see them in the drawing. These are the octagonal turrets."
"_From the centre of the roof carry up a square tower with battlemented parapets and pinnacles at all corners, and flying buttresses from the turrets of the main buildings_.
"_The bow window at side will have the old casements removed, and have mullions and tracery fixed and filled with cathedral glazings, and, instead of the present flat, a sloping roof will be carried up and finished against the outer wall of the house. At either side of bay window buttresses with moulded water-tables, plinths, &c._
"_From these roofs and the front projections at intersection of small gables, carved gargoyles to carry off water_.
"_The billiard-room to be converted into a chapel, by building a new high-pitched roof_."
"Oh, John, why should you do away with the billiard-room; why shouldn't the monks play billiards? You played billiards on the day of the meet."
"Yes, but I am not a monk yet. No one ever heard of monks playing billiards; besides, that dreadful addition of my mother's could not remain in its present form, it would be ludicrous to a degree, whereas it can be converted very easily into a chapel. We must have a chapel--_building a high-pitched timber roof, throwing out an apse at the end, and putting in mullioned and traceried windows filled with stained glass_."
"And the cloister you are always speaking about, where will that be?"
"The cloister will come at the back of the chapel, and an arched and vaulted ambulatory will be laid round the house. Later on I shall add a refectory, and put a lavatory at one end of the ambulatory."
"But don't you think, John, you may get tired of being a monk, and then the house will have to be built back again."
"Never, the house will be from every point of view, a better house when my alterations are carried into effect. Beside, why should I be tired of being a monk? Your father does not get tired of being a parson."