very readily, notably wealthy.





Chapter X


The home atmosphere which they established when they returned from
their honeymoon was a great improvement in taste over that which had
characterized the earlier life of Mrs. Cowperwood as Mrs. Semple. They
had decided to occupy her house, on North Front Street, for a while at
least. Cowperwood, aggressive in his current artistic mood, had objected
at once after they were engaged to the spirit of the furniture and
decorations, or lack of them, and had suggested that he be allowed to
have it brought more in keeping with his idea of what was appropriate.
During the years in which he had been growing into manhood he had come
instinctively into sound notions of what was artistic and refined. He
had seen so many homes that were more distinguished and harmonious than
his own. One could not walk or drive about Philadelphia without seeing
and being impressed with the general tendency toward a more cultivated
and selective social life. Many excellent and expensive houses were
being erected. The front lawn, with some attempt at floral gardening,
was achieving local popularity. In the homes of the Tighes, the
Leighs, Arthur Rivers, and others, he had noticed art objects of some
distinction--bronzes, marbles, hangings, pictures, clocks, rugs.

It seemed to him now that his comparatively commonplace house could be
made into something charming and for comparatively little money. The