“Pull the string again and we have a benevolent ‘broad-brim,’ stiff, symmetrical and proper to the last degree, like an Italian villa; and, once more changing the straight lines to crooked ones, the conventional formalist becomes the unconventional, free-and-easy South-westerner, who may stand for Swiss or any other go-as-you-please style.”

“It is midnight and the fire is out; let’s adjourn.”

[Illustration.]

CHAPTER IX.

PROFESSIONAL ETIQUETTE—­BLINDS AND BESSIE.

The next demonstration from the architect was a pencil drawing of the floor plans, submitted for inspection and criticism.  Concerning these he wrote to Jill’s entire satisfaction.  “From many of my clients I should expect the first question would be, ’Will a house built in this shape look well outside?’ It is not necessary to remind you that at this stage of the proceedings such an inquiry is wholly irrelevant.  The interior arrangements should be made without a thought of the exterior effect, precisely as if the house were to wear the ring of Gyges and be forever invisible to outsiders.  There are several points, however, on which I await further instructions——­”

“What’s the use of having an architect,” Jack inquired, “if you’ve got to keep instructing him all the time?”

——­“provided you wish to give instructions,” Jill continued reading.  “There is often a misunderstanding between architect and client, and I wish to avoid it in the present case by saying at the outset that while there are many things which, in my opinion, should be referred to you, I am ready to decide them for you if you wish me to do so; but even in such cases I prefer to set before you the arguments pro and con, after which, if you still desire it, I shall accept the arbitration.  This is not a rule that works both ways or applies universally, for while referring to you matters relating to use and expenditure, and at the same time standing ready to decide them for you, I cannot promise to accept your advice in matters of construction and design.  I trust I have not yet reached the fossiliferous state of mind that prevents my listening with sincere respect to candid suggestions, even from those who are not fairly competent to give advice; but on these points you must not expect me to follow your taste and judgment in opposition to my own, even if you do pay the bills.  When your physician prescribes arsenic and you inform him that you shall give it to your poodle and take strychnine instead, he will doubtless infer that his services are no longer desired; he will know that while he might be able to kill you, he could not hope to cure you.  Patients have rights that physicians are bound to respect, but the right to commit suicide and ruin the physician’s reputation is not among them.  The relations of client and architect are similar.

“This is one of the questions which I refer to you, but will answer for you if you send it back:  How shall the eyes of the house be closed?  Shall the eyelids be outside blinds, inside folding shutters, ’Queen Anne’ rolling blinds, sliding blinds or Venetian shades?  There are good reasons for and against each kind; either, if adopted, compels some compromise.  Whichever road you take you will wish you had taken the other.