except as a child, but who had known everything of Washington life
from the time she was twelve until she was fifteen, and she was
now twenty; but that young woman, I regret to say, also
breakfasted in bed, where her maid had special instructions not to
disturb her until my lady's jewelled fingers touched a button
within reach of her dainty hand; whereupon another instalment of
buttered rolls and coffee would be served with such accessories of
linen, porcelain and silver as befitted the appetite and station
of one so beautiful and so accomplished.

These conditions never ceased to depress Jack. Fresh from a life
out of doors, accustomed to an old-fashioned dining-room--the
living room, really, of the family who had cared for him since his
father's death, where not only the sun made free with the open
doors and windows, but the dogs and neighbors as well--the sober
formality of this early meal--all of his uncle's meals, for that
matter--sent shivers down his back that chilled him to the bone.

He had looked about him the first morning of his arrival, had
noted the heavy carved sideboard laden with the garish silver; had
examined the pictures lining the walls, separated from the dark
background of leather by heavy gold frames; had touched with his
fingers the dial of the solemn bronze clock, flanked by its
equally solemn candelabra; had peered between the steel andirons,
bright as carving knives, and into the freshly varnished, spacious
chimney up which no dancing blaze had ever whirled in madcap glee
since the mason's trowel had left it and never would to the end of
time,--not as long as the steam heat held out; had watched the
crane-like step of Parkins as he moved about the room--cold,
immaculate, impassive; had listened to his "Yes, sir--thank you,