"
"Turn her out," said Cecil bravely.
Sir Harry sighed, and looked at the villas mournfully. He had had
full warning of Mr. Flack's intentions, and might have bought the
plot before building commenced: but he was apathetic and
dilatory. He had known Summer Street for so many years that he
could not imagine it being spoilt. Not till Mrs. Flack had laid
the foundation stone, and the apparition of red and cream brick
began to rise did he take alarm. He called on Mr. Flack, the
local builder,--a most reasonable and respectful man--who agreed
that tiles would have made more artistic roof, but pointed out
that slates were cheaper. He ventured to differ, however, about
the Corinthian columns which were to cling like leeches to the
frames of the bow windows, saying that, for his part, he liked to
relieve the facade by a bit of decoration. Sir Harry hinted that
a column, if possible, should be structural as well as
decorative.
Mr. Flack replied that all the columns had been ordered, adding,
"and all the capitals different--one with dragons in the foliage,
another approaching to the Ionian style, another introducing Mrs.
Pages:
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196