Imagine trees, so many beautiful trees that they made canopies, tunnels and softest green shelters fit for fairies, for elves and for lovely little children. Outside and beyond this grove, imagine a carpet so green that the sky threw shadows upon it in futile jealousy, gardens so gorgeous that butterflies fluttered over the blooms, bewildered and confused in their temptations and then—just beyond and yet within all of this, think of a House Beautiful!
That was Billows, the summer home of Cara Burke.
A great iron fence raised its palings outside the farthermost borders of the estate. But only the ocean and the ocean drive were thus separated, for acres and acres were shut in behind the iron fence, and one couldn’t find the gates unless one knew where to look for them. Greenery everywhere.
Yes, they were very rich, the Burkes, but no one could call them “stuck up,” not even the most jealous, or most narrow-minded person at Sea Cosset, who was generally supposed to be old Sarah Jenkins, who sold peppermints and never stopped talking.
And here at the Billows, Cara Burke was holding her first house party, while among those present was Barbara Hale.
“Cara, you should be dressed and down here now,” her mother warned from the alcove near the stairs. “The girls are coming——”
“You do the honors, Moma,” called back Cara, in a voice quite pardonable if she was a little distance off. “That’s just Louise and Esther——”
No pompous butler barred the way, for the massive doors were open wide and the laughter of young girls was echoing clear up to Cara’s dressing-room, while Sniffy, the black poodle, bumped himself down the stairs to find out what it was all about.
“Come right along, girls,” Mrs. Burke welcomed the first arrivals, Esther, Louise, and Lida. “Cara will be down directly.”
The girls hesitated, overwhelmed by the beauty of the flowers and soft lights. They were already familiar with the house and its luxurious furnishings, but the urns and vases filled with blooms beneath the silken floor lamps made the rooms look like a scene from some gorgeous theatrical set.