We can use electric or gas radiators, Anne, added Eleanor, eagerly, in very cold weather.
I never knew what heated bedrooms were like, in Pebbly Pit, Anne, Polly said, anxious to have a word.
Besides we may have a very mild winter, remarked Anne.
So the lease was signed and the first months rent paid. Well give you any assistance you may need in getting the place in order, Mrs. Stewart, said the agent, as he handed the papers to his new tenant.
That will be very nice, and we will take advantage of your offer, at once. I want the kitchen range and stove pipe put in perfect working order, and please see that the radiator in the bathroom is not obstructed in any way, said the lady.
Anne and the agent exchanged looks and laughed. I can see where Mrs. Stewart expects to enjoy herself this winter. Well, I told my wife the other
day, we were more comfortable when we had an old-fashioned flat with a kitchen range, than we now are with all the latest modern improvements, returned the agent.
Anne, Polly and I want our rooms repapered and painted, whispered Eleanor, tugging at Annes sleeve.
I was about to suggest that you have all the woodwork given one coat of nice fresh paint, but the paper now on the walls is very expensive and artistic, so I wouldnt be in too great a hurry to have it done over. The last tenant imported his own paper at a great expense for that place, explained the agent.
I think you are very kind and sensible to advise us in this way. So well have the men do the paint but not touch the paper until we have had time to look it over again, said Anne.
When can we move in? questioned Polly.
Any time you like; but I would advise having the painters out first. I will send two men to begin work in there to-morrow.
Then the four delighted tenants left the office, and on the walk back to the corner where they wished to board the car they eagerly planned how they would furnish their home.
CHAPTER III FURNISHING THE STABLE
If you-all had only let me ship my stuff from Denver you wouldnt have to buy a stick! declared Mrs. Stewart.
They were standing on the corner waiting for an uptown car but not one was in sight. Anne showed signs of impatience but exclaimed at her mothers remark:
Mother, you know very well what the crating and freight would have cost, and you sold your stuff for more than it was worth. I think you are most fortunate to have that little roll of money on hand, when you consider the wear and tear your furniture has had in the last thirty years.
Anyway, Mrs. Stewart, I dont want Victorian period in our house. Polly and I want to furnish and decorate our own rooms as we like. This is to be our first experiment in real artistic work, said Eleanor, comfortingly.
Polly nodded her head at these words; but standing with her back to the curb, her face was opposite a large show-window in the corner building. Now, as if by some magnet, her eyes were attracted to what that window contained.
Why, just see there! Right near our street is a furniture shop! With this exclamation, Polly ran over to inspect the objects displayed in the window. A carved four-poster, and other rare antiques, drew the attention of the little group.
Polly glanced around to see what furniture shop it was that was so near their new home.
Why! Its an auction place. Surely, it cannot be that such wonderful things are sold in a junk room, exclaimed Mrs. Stewart.
That made the other three look also, and Eleanor added: It doesnt follow that just because this is an auction house, that it must be a junk room.
Well, I never saw anything but awful junk in the second-hand place in Oak Creek, explained Polly.
Even the Denver dealers sell only junk, Nolla. But it may be different in New York. Everything seems to be different, said Anne.
Of course it is! Why wouldnt it be when you stop to think of it. In the first place, no one in Oak Creek ever had anything but junk to sell. And in Denver, where everyone hangs on to every stick they have, simply because it is so difficult to get anything worth while, the poor second-hand dealer starves for want of trade. But here, as well as in Chicago, folks send stuff to places like this for sale, when they cant find a place to move into. I just bet there will be thousands of families that will have to sell out this year just because there are not enough homes for all of them. Eleanors logic was sound, and Polly ventured a suggestion.
Id love to go in there and see what they do with such pieces. There are lots of well-dressed people going in come on.
Nothing loath to see the interior of a New York second-hand shop, the westerners went to the front door. There a colored porter stood and bowed politely.
Sale goin on in third room, right, ladies; have a catalogue?
As the uniformed attendant offered Anne a pamphlet of about twenty pages, he waved them inside out of the doorway. Then he repeated his directions to the next couple who followed directly after Mrs. Stewarts party.
To say the four friends were astonished at the size and quality of the auction-rooms is speaking mildly. Not a piece of furniture but looked rare and expensive. It seemed improbable that it all was for sale.