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Page 46
[Illustration: SAFE AND SAVING FLUES.]
[Illustration: SAFE AND SAVING FLUES.]
[Illustration: A PICTURE IN GLASS OVER THE FIREPLACE.]
"I like the idea of setting mirrors in the deep window-jambs, whether
they are in the chimney or out of it," said Jill. "If I was obliged to
live in a room where the sun never shone of its own accord, I would set
a trap for it baited with large mirrors fixed on some sort of a
windlass in a way to send the sunshine straight into my windows."
"Capital! You could do that easily, and if you wanted a green-house on
the north side it would only be necessary to set up a few
looking-glasses to pour a blazing sun upon it all day long. You might
need a little clockwork to keep them adjusted at the right angles, but
Yankee invention ought to be equal to that. I have no doubt we shall
see patent sunshine-distributors in the market very shortly if your
idea gets abroad; in fact, I shouldn't be surprised to hear that a
company proposed to set up mammoth reflectors to keep the sun from
setting at all until he drops into the Pacific Ocean."
[Illustration: GLASS OF MANY COLORS, SHAPES AND SIZES.]
"Well, you may laugh at my invention; I shall surely try it when I am
obliged to live in a house that does not get sunlight in the regular
way. As for the stained glass picture over the chimney-piece, I should
like it for the bright color and because the lamps would make it so
charming from the street outside. I shall also want colored glass in
the upper part of the bay windows. The architect says we can have it
and still keep the lower panes clear and large. He sends some sketches
by way of suggestion, and thinks we may use it in the lower part of
some of the windows to conceal a window-seat or other furniture. I
should prefer screens of some other kind in such places, keeping the
stained glass up where it would show against the sky. He says this
colored glass is not necessarily expensive; that it may be set in
common wood-sash or in lead-sash, as we please, and that it will not
affect the usual opening and closing of the windows. He advises
plate-glass for the larger lights, if we can afford it, not because it
gives the house a more elegant appearance, though that is not a wholly
unworthy motive, but because a beautiful landscape is so much more
beautiful when it can be plainly seen. The instinct that prompts us to
throw the window wide open in order to get a more satisfactory view is
an unanswerable argument in favor of large, clear lights of glass for
windows intended for outlooks."
"And here is an illustration right before us," said Jack. "I am
impelled by a powerful impulse to open the window and see if I can
recognize the lady driving up the street. It wouldn't be good manners,
but I wish the window was plate-glass."
To Jack's astonishment, however, Jill threw open the window and waved
her handkerchief in cordial salutation as Aunt Jerusha drove slowly up
to the house. "Doing her own work" for half a century had not rendered
her incapable of taking and enjoying a carriage ride of fifteen miles
alone to visit her niece.
Like all wise people who are able to give advice, Aunt Jerusha offered
none until it was asked, and then gave only in small doses. She had
never seen the house that Jack built, but had heard much of it from the
friends and relatives who had never underrated Jill's obstinacy in
refusing to accept it as a permanent home.
"I almost wonder at you, Jill, for being so set against it. I'm sure
it's a fine house and cost a good deal of money. There must be some
drawback that doesn't show. I hope It isn't haunted."
"That's it, Aunt Jerusha; it's haunted. Several uncomfortable demons
have taken possession of it and Jill isn't able to exorcise them. It
was a great grief to me at first, and I made a bargain with Jill to
keep still about them, but it is an open secret now and she may tell
you everything."
[Illustration: SHELVES IN THE MIDDLE, CUPBOARDS ABOVE AND BELOW.]
"Very well. I can easily explain the mystery. The mischief began with
the evil spirits of Ignorance and Incompetence. The carpenter who
planned the house knew nothing about our tastes or needs, and the
builder was unable to make a comfortable flight of stairs, safe
chimneys, smooth floors or tight windows. After these two came another
pair, worse than the first--Ostentation and Avarice. They tried to make
a grand display and at the same time a large profit on the job. How
can I exorcise such demons as these except by tearing down the house?"
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