interest. She could not buy more Persian rugs, of course, but she could cleanse her dwelling of its most appalling ugliness, so that her one treasure would have at least a less atrocious background. Miss Ada Tenafee, eagerly consulted at the supper[116] table, fell in with the plan in the nicest possible spirit of enthusiasm. Miss Ada had shrewdly conjectured that all was not moonlight and roses in the love affair of her enemy and her beloved young protégée, and rejoiced thereat, and she welcomed this fresh interest. Her own room in the Darrow house had always been charming, for she had brought her furniture with her, and she announced now that there were several really good pieces which her own dear father had brought from his ancestral home, stored in the attic at Cousin Amos’ mansion. [116] “But, Miss Ada!—That would be wonderful, but would you want to bring them here?” She insisted warmly that she would. (Anything which gave her a firmer hold here, made the home more definitely hers.... Of course, when Glen married the young savage and brought him here, the gentlewoman must go; it would be an intolerable situation. But meanwhile, the deeper she could drive her roots, the better. And she had been aware, lately, of a growing hope.... He came less often and there was a restraint in Glen’s manner when she spoke of him....) “The first thing,” Glen was glowing with her excited interest, “will be to take all this awful wall paper off and put on something perfectly plain.” “Well, I’d have the perfectly plain in the parlor and dining room,” Miss Ada offered, “but don’t you[117] think you’d like some quaint little flowered patterns in the bedrooms?” [117] “Of course! And rag rugs and patchwork-quilts, and rush-bottomed chairs? I’ve noticed pictures in the back of magazines”—even the hectic weekly was not above running opulent advertisements—“and I read a home decoration article at the library one evening! And little dotted-muslin curtains! I could make them myself!” “And I could help you,” Miss Ada purred. “And we’ll take up all the carpets, and paint the floors—I can paint the floors! I’ve read about how you do it, and it will be fun!” The infrequent color was climbing in her clear cheeks. It was fun, all of it. She flung herself
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