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Page 65
"Certainly; it would be a pity to make all luxuries impossible just
because we happen to own a castle in Spain. Aren't you afraid our court
will be dreadfully hot in summer, shut in by four brick walls?"
"By no means; it will be particularly cool. If we like we can have a
great awning to draw over it in the hottest weather, and wide halls
will allow a perfect circulation of air throughout the whole structure.
In addition to this, on the highest part of the roof there will be a
space fitted for an outdoor sitting room, sheltered when necessary by
awnings and screens, but most delightful on hot summer evenings."
"Oh, yes, I see. A sort of copy of the old Egyptian houses."
"No, not a sort of a copy of anything, but a simple application of
common sense. In the evening when there is a breeze from any direction,
the highest part of the house will be the coolest."
"I thought it was to be a two-story house. How can one part be higher
than the rest?"
"I didn't say it was to be all of the same height. Some rooms will be
much higher than others because they will be larger. If a room is to be
of agreeable proportions, the height must be determined by the size. It
may be best to make the north side three stories high and the south
only one; that would give more sunlight on the north wall of the court
and make the average two stories."
"Nothing like keeping up the average. But aren't forty rooms with all
the closets and storerooms, and stairways and halls, and bays and
oriels and dungeons going to make a large house for one family? Can't
we work the same idea on a smaller scale?"
"Of course, but that is not too large for a comfortable home for a
family of moderate size. Count your fingers and try it. To begin at
that end of the establishment, we want a scullery, a kitchen, and a
servants' dining room; we want a breakfast room, and a large dining
room for the family, and the dining room, by the way, should be one of
the largest rooms in the house, say twenty-one or two feet by thirty
six or forty; we want a parlor, a drawing room, a library, a
billiard room and a picture gallery; a music room and ball room, these
being, of course, in one, but as large as two ordinary rooms; then we
want a nursery, a workroom for the children, a sick room and a sewing
room, an office and a smoking room, and one or two extra sitting or
reception rooms. Each member of the family should have a private
sitting room and bedroom, with dressing room and bath for each suite.
That, you see, would just about suit a family of ten people without
counting the servants."
[Illustration: A CASTLE IN SPAIN.]
"Have you made any calculation Jill, dear, as to how many people there
are at present in the United States who could manage to scrape along
with thirty-nine rooms instead of forty?"
"Why should I? This is a castle in Spain. We have plenty of money,
plenty of room, plenty of time. Our only anxiety is lest there should
be a lack of brains to make good use of our room and time and money."
"And what shall we build it of, jasper, sapphire and chalcedony?"
"No, burned clay and granite, steel, copper and glass. It shall be
defiant of fire and flood; it shall neither burn up nor rot down."
"One thing more, Jill, when we come to make our wills to which one of
the children shall we bequeath the castle?"
Before Jill could answer the door was hurriedly opened and Bessie
appeared upon the threshold.
"I've just run away from Jim," she began rapidly. "We haven't had a
family quarrel exactly, but we've argued it over and over, and we come
out just as far apart as ever. Finally I told him I would leave it to
you."
"I haven't any idea what it is all about, but did Jim agree to that?"
"I didn't give him a chance to differ. He always agrees to everything
Jill says about building houses But don't interrupt me. The baby may
wake up at any minute and then Jim will be helpless. The truth is he is
dissatisfied with our home."
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