Page:The Tsar's Window.djvu/42

 It seemed odd to discuss domestic affairs before an entire stranger like Mr. Thurber, but it certainly made us quickly acquainted. Tom treated him as if they had been intimate friends for years. We went slowly through the apartment, discovering many advantages over other houses which we had seen. I was particularly pleased with two tall porcelain stoves, like Chinese pagodas, in the drawing-room.

When we returned to the ante-room, Tom pointed out with triumph a little winding staircase, which was concealed from view by a curtain. "You would never have discovered that, would you?"

"Not unless we had looked behind the curtain," I replied.

We ascended the stairs, and found two large, low rooms.

"These bedrooms will do for us," said Tom.

"I never will sleep up in this lonely spot," Grace cried, with a shiver.

I added my protest. "I prefer the room down stairs, which opens out of the butler's pantry."

Judith, however, declared that nothing would please her more than to occupy one of these.

Tom looked despondent for a moment; then his face brightened. He made us all follow him to the ball-room down stairs. "The old lady who lived here used this for her bedroom," he said, looking at Grace doubtfully. The room is forty feet long, and contains a balcony for the orchestra, with some ghostly white statues in it. Grace and I exchanged a glance of amusement.