human
You see, we have just got back, from Paris, said my visitor, impressively.
gpt
We had a villa at Cannes in April, you know, and met some very _recherche_ people there. Our apartment in Paris was most delightful, and we should have liked to stay on, but we intend to make New York our permanent home, and thought it would be well to come over and get settled.
human
So you are looking for a house,
gpt
A temporary house, said Mrs. Radigan.
human
I don't see anything here that I should care to live in continuously. We will have to build--positively have to--and Mr. Radigan is negotiating now for a block on Fifth Avenue. He managed to rent a little box on the hills near Westbury for the summer, but I am looking for something to exist in next winter while the new house is going up.
gpt
Here is just the thing you want. The plans were unfolded before her.
human
It is situated on Seventy----
gpt
I know, she interrupted.
human
That is why I came to you, seeing your name on the sign. A rather decent house on the north side, three doors from the avenue, with an American basement and----
gpt
French windows,
human
And a Dutch roof--exactly, she cried.
gpt
It is stunning.
human
One of the best in town, I declared with emphasis.
gpt
Thirty feet front, six stories high. It was built last January by Mr. Bull when he had wheat cornered. Subsequently the receiver sold it to my client, who took it on speculation.
human
It is stunning, but small, said Mrs. Radigan.
gpt
I should not care to live in it right along, but we can all squeeze into it for a few months, till the new one is done.
human
You have a large family?
gpt
Three, she replied.
human
My husband, my sister Pearl, and myself. We shall keep our boy Jack in the country.
gpt
Why, you can have a floor apiece, I declared cheerfully.
human
Just look at the elevation.
gpt
The entire fourth floor, you see, could be used by Miss Radigan,
human
Miss Ve-al, said she, suddenly abandoning the lorgnette and getting down under bare eyes to solve the mystery of the blueprint.
gpt
Is that funny white line the design of the wall-paper?
human
It's the stairs, I explained.
gpt
As I suggested, Miss Veal----
human
Ve-al, she corrected, looking up sharply.
gpt
V-e, ve--a-l, al--Ve-al. It's French.
human
Pardon me, said I abjectly.
gpt
Your sister, Miss Ve-al, could have----
human
Oh, don't bother about the old plans, she cried, gently pushing the paper from her.
gpt
It gives me a headache to try to make them out. I'm sure you had them upside down. But I'll take your word for it that there's plenty of room to live in. But how about entertaining? How can one entertain in a box like that?
human
There's a ballroom, as you see, said I, trying in vain to guide her eye to it.
gpt
Then, on the same floor, you see a large dining-room, a fair-size music-room, and a very fine salon.
human
Well, she returned musingly,
gpt
The new house will be done by the time you get in,
human
Certainly, said she pleasantly, not comprehending the hidden meaning.
gpt
Tell me, is that old Mrs. Plumstone's house next door?
human
On the right, I replied.
gpt
The Hegerton Hummings are across the way, and the Jack Twitters have the French château on the corner.
human
But some common people called Gallegher are on the other side,
gpt
My dear Mrs. Radigan, I argued,
human
But the Galleghers might call,
gpt
Do not worry, was my retort.
human
This is not Kansas City. New Yorkers never call on their neighbors.
gpt
Wouldn't old Mrs. Plumstone?
human
Hardly.
gpt
Well, that explains it,
human
Explains what?
gpt
Not a soul around Westbury has been to see me, she answered.
human
Do tell me, how do people get to know you in New York?
gpt
They don't, said I.
human
The question is, how do you get to know them?
gpt
Well, how?
human
It's very simple, I explained.
gpt
When you are buying your property, see as many real-estate firms uptown as you can, for they have some very nice young men connected with them. All the cotillon leaders are in real estate or architecture, as dancing is a branch of their business. Then there are the brokers. Some of the smartest men in town are two-dollar brokers, and surely a great house like Radigan & Co. can make it worth their while to be polite. Why, there are dozens of ways you can collect acquaintances in New York. It is easy if you know how.
human
But I did not, said Mrs. Radigan rather sadly.
gpt
It has worried me dreadfully, too. Sometimes, since we have been at Westbury, it has seemed as though we must be dead. Of course, one or two people there have been very nice, but they were not the kind we care to know. Evidently, you have made a study of society.
human
Not at all, I protested.
gpt
It just happens that I have had a number of clients from Pittsburg.
human
Oh, I see! she exclaimed, brightening, and, rising, she took my hand effusively.
gpt
You are certainly awfully kind, and I consider myself in luck to find you. You can count on us taking the house, and I hope we can count on your being there often.