Butthewallswereup，andthestuddinghadalreadygivenskeletonshapetotheinterior。Thefloorswereroughlyboardedover，andthestairwayswereinplace，withprovisionaltreadsrudelylaid。Theyhadnotbeguntolathandplasteryet，buttheclean，freshsmellofthemortarinthewallsminglingwiththepungentfragranceofthepineshavingsneutralisedtheVenetianodourthatdrewinoverthewater。Itwaspleasantlyshadythere，thoughforthematterofthattheheatofthemorninghadallbeenwashedoutoftheatmospherebyatideofeastwindsettinginatnoon，andthethrilling，deliciouscoolofaBostonsummerafternoonbathedeverynerve。
TheforemanwentaboutwithMrs。Lapham，showingherwherethedoorsweretobe；butLaphamsoontiredofthis，andhavingfoundapinestickofperfectgrain，heabandonedhimselftothepleasureofwhittlingitinwhatwastobethereception—room，wherehesatlookingoutonthestreetfromwhatwastobethebay—window。Herehewaspresentlyjoinedbyhisgirls，who，afterlocatingtheirownroomonthewatersideabovethemusic—room，hadnomorewishtoenterintodetailsthantheirfather。
\"Comeandtakeaseatinthebay—window，ladies，\"
becalledouttothem，astheylookedinathimthroughtheribsofthewall。Hejocoselymaderoomforthemonthetrestleonwhichhesat。
Theycamegingerlyandvaguelyforward，asyoungladiesdowhentheywishnottoseemtobegoingtodoathingtheyhavemadeuptheirmindstodo。Whentheyhadtakentheirplacesontheirtrestle，theycouldnothelplaughingwithscorn，openandacceptabletotheirfather；