He wrote to her a great many letters during this period, all of which were interesting, although there were portions of many of them which she did not quite understand, being expressed in a somewhat technical fashion. Burke liked to write letters. It was a novel experience for him to have time to write and something to write about. He had been better educated than the ordinary sailor, and his intelligence and habits of observation enabled him to supplement to a considerable extent what he had learned at school. His spelling and grammar were sometimes at fault, but his handwriting was extremely plain and distinct, and Willy Croup, who always read his letters, declared that it was much better to write plainly than to be always correct in other respects, for what was the good of proper spelling and grammar if people could not make out what was written?
Mrs. Cliff was not at all disturbed by the delay in the purchase of a yacht; for, according to her idea, it would be a long time yet before it was pleasant to sail upon the sea, and if it was interesting to Mr. Burke to go from place to place and have interviews with ship-owners and sea-faring people, she was glad that she was able to give him an opportunity to do so.
As for herself, she was in a pleasant state of feminine satisfaction. Without any sort of presumption4 or even effort on her part she had attained5 a high and unquestioned position among her fellow-citizens, and her mind[Pg 158] was not set upon maintaining that position by worthy6 and unoffensive methods of using her riches.
She now had a definite purpose in life. If she could make herself happy and a great many other people happy, and only a few people envious7 or jealous, and, at the same time, feel that she was living and doing things as a person of good common sense and great wealth ought to live and do things, what more could be expected of her in this life?
Thus backed up by her conscience and her check-book, she sat, morning after morning, before a cheerful fire of hickory logs and outlined her career. This was in the parlor8 of her old house, which she now determined9 to use as an office or business-room. She could afford the warmest fire of the best seasoned wood; her chimney was in perfect order, and she was but fifty-five years old and in excellent health;—why should she not enjoy the exhilarating blaze, and plan for years of exhilarating occupation.
Soon after Mr. Burke left Plainton Mrs. Cliff began work upon the new park. This she could do without his assistance, and it was work the mere10 contemplation of which delighted her. She had legal assistance in regard to the purchase of the grounds and buildings of the opposite block, and while this was in the hands of her lawyers, she was in daily consultation11 with an eminent12 landscape-constructor who had come to Plainton for the purpose. He lodged13 at the hotel, and drew most beautiful plans of the proposed park.
In the happy morning hours during which Mrs. Cliff's[Pg 159] mind wandered over the beautiful drives, or stood upon the rustic14 bridges which crossed the stream dashing among its rocks and spreading itself out into placid15 pools; or when, mentally, she sat in the shade of the great trees and looked out upon the wide stretches of verdant16 lawn, relieved by the brilliant colors of the flower-beds, she often felt it was almost the same thing as if it were actually summer, and that she really saw the beautiful grass and flowers, heard the babbling17 of the stream, and felt the refreshing18 breezes which rustled19 the great limbs of the trees.
She did not selfishly keep these pleasures to herself, but often on the stormy evenings, she and Willy and the Misses Thorpedyke would go over the brilliantly colored plans of the Incas' Grove20, admire what had been proposed, and suggest things which they thought would be desirable. Miss Thorpedyke, who had a vivid recollection of the gardens of Luxemburg, spoke21 of many of their beautiful and classic features which she would recommend for the new park if it were not that they would cost so much money. All these were noted22 down with great care by Mrs. Cliff, and mentioned to the landscape-constructor the next day.
Thus at home, in church circles, in the society of the town, and in the mental contemplation of the charming landscape which in consequence of her own will and command would soon spread itself out before her windows, Mrs. Cliff was very happy. But among all her sources of enjoyment23 there was nothing, perhaps, which pleased her better than to think on a cold winter's night,[Pg 160] when the piercing winds were roaring about the house, that poor old Nancy Shott was lying warm and comfortable under two of the finest blankets which ever came from Californian looms24.
The great object of Willy Croup's thoughts at this time was not the park,—for she could not properly appreciate trees and grass in this shivery weather,—but the entertainment, the grand lunch, or the very high tea which was to be given to Mrs. Buskirk and daughters on the hill. This important event had been postponed25 because the sleighing had become rather bad and the Buskirks had gone to the city.
But as soon as they returned, Willy hoped with all her heart that Mrs. Cliff would be able to show them what may be done in the line of hospitable26 entertainment by people who had not only money but something more. There had been a time when Willy thought that when people wished to entertain there was nothing needed but money, but then she had not lived in the house with the Misses Thorpedyke, and had not heard them and Mrs. Cliff discuss such matters.
The peace of mind of Mrs. Cliff was disturbed one day by the receipt of a letter from Mr. Burke, who wrote from New York and informed her that he had found a yacht which he believed would suit her, and he wished very much that she would come and look at it before he completed the purchase.
Mrs. Cliff did not wish to go to New York and look at yachts. She had then under consideration the plan of a semicircular marble terrace which was to overlook one[Pg 161] end of a shaded lakelet, which Mr. Humphreys, her professional adviser27, assured her she could have just as well as not, by means of a dam, and she did not wish to interrupt this most interesting occupation. Mr. Humphreys had procured28 photographs of some of the romantic spots of the Luxemburg, and Mrs. Cliff felt within herself the gladdening impulses of a good magician as she planned the imitation of all this classic beauty.
Besides, it was the middle of March, and cold, and not at all the season in which she would be able to properly appreciate the merits of a yacht. Still, as Mr. Burke had found the vessel1 and wanted her to see it, and as there was a possibility, he had written, that delay might cause her to lose the opportunity of getting what she wanted, and as she was very desirous of pleasing him, she decided29 that she and Willy would go to New York and look at the vessel.
It would not take long, because, of course, Mr. Burke had already found out everything that was necessary in regard to its sea-going qualities, and a great many other things of which she would not be a judge. In fact, it was not necessary for her to go at all; but as she was to pay for it, Mr. Burke would be better satisfied if first she saw it.
It was very pleasant to think that she could go away whenever she pleased and leave her house in the care of two such ladies as Miss Eleanor Thorpedyke and her sister.
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1
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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2
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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3
advertising
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| n.广告业；广告活动 a.广告的；广告业务的 | |
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4
presumption
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| n.推测，可能性，冒昧，放肆，[法律]推定 | |
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5
attained
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| （通常经过努力）实现( attain的过去式和过去分词 )； 达到； 获得； 达到（某年龄、水平、状况） | |
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6
worthy
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| adj.(of)值得的，配得上的；有价值的 | |
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7
envious
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| adj.嫉妒的，羡慕的 | |
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8
parlor
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| n.店铺，营业室；会客室，客厅 | |
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9
determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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10
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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11
consultation
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| n.咨询；商量；商议；会议 | |
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12
eminent
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| adj.显赫的，杰出的，有名的，优良的 | |
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13
lodged
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| v.存放( lodge的过去式和过去分词 )；暂住；埋入；（权利、权威等）归属 | |
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14
rustic
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| adj.乡村的，有乡村特色的；n.乡下人，乡巴佬 | |
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15
placid
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| adj.安静的，平和的 | |
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16
verdant
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| adj.翠绿的，青翠的，生疏的，不老练的 | |
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17
babbling
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| n.胡说，婴儿发出的咿哑声adj.胡说的v.喋喋不休( babble的现在分词 )；作潺潺声（如流水）；含糊不清地说话；泄漏秘密 | |
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18
refreshing
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| adj.使精神振作的，使人清爽的，使人喜欢的 | |
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19
rustled
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| v.发出沙沙的声音( rustle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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21
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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22
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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23
enjoyment
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| n.乐趣；享有；享用 | |
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24
looms
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| n.织布机( loom的名词复数 )v.隐约出现，阴森地逼近( loom的第三人称单数 )；隐约出现，阴森地逼近 | |
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25
postponed
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| vt.& vi.延期，缓办，（使）延迟vt.把…放在次要地位；[语]把…放在后面（或句尾）vi.（疟疾等）延缓发作（或复发） | |
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26
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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27
adviser
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| n.劝告者，顾问 | |
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28
procured
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| v.（努力）取得， （设法）获得( procure的过去式和过去分词 )；拉皮条 | |
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29
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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