I often wonder why Eliot’s clever gift is so profound that he is obsessed with the trend of the times. He didn’t get rich overnight. His father used to be a principal in the south, and his grandfather was quite promising. Pastor Cong Eliot must know that many people who accept his invitation want to have a good meal. He must also know that some people have a little ink on their chest or a little merit. However, he is willing to be blinded by loud titles and ignore their shortcomings. I can guess that these gentry families have a long history. If they are familiar with each other and become their wives, they will be able to bring them a lasting legacy. Superiority: I think the motivation behind his camp reflects the frenzied romantic spirit, so that he can see the crusader figure of St. Louis IX’s crusade in the holy land in the weak and thin French duke or catch a glimpse of the British earl who followed Henry to the golden land. These people associate as if they were intimate with the heroic glory of the past. I think if he looks back at the European royal family tree, Gotha yearbook, there will be a warm feeling in his heart. Every name evokes the famous love story of kings in ancient battles and besieged cities. Eliot Tamburton is such a person.
five
I came to my room to wash my hands and prepare for an appointment to hold a luncheon in Eliot, but I got a message from the floor counter that he was waiting for me in the lobby. I was a little surprised, but I met him downstairs as soon as everything was ready.
I thought it would be safer to pick you up directly, he said, shaking my hand. After all, I don’t know if you are familiar with Chicago.
I find that some Americans who live abroad all the year round feel that the United States is a complicated and dangerous place like him, and Europeans can get to know their surroundings by themselves.
It’s still early, so let’s go for a while.
The air is a little cold, but it’s sunny and the clouds are a little relaxing.
I’d better tell you about my sister first. Eliot told me as he walked that she had been to Paris once or twice and stayed at my place, but I don’t think you were there at that time. There are not many people today. My sister and her daughter Isabel Gregg Brabasson.
Is that the room designer?
Yes, the decoration of my sister’s room is really bad. Isabel wants her to redecorate it. I just heard that Greg is in Chicago and asked her to invite him to have lunch with him. Of course, Greg is not noble, but he has a unique taste. He designed Lanburg for Mary Oliphane and is also in charge of the St. Clementa’s Fort. The duchess is very satisfied. When you see Louisa’s room, you can come and comment on how she managed to live in Chicago for so many years. Speaking of this, I also know how she managed to stay in Chicago all the time.
Eliot’s sister’s name is Louisa or Mrs. bradley, and her husband is dead. Two men and one woman and two older children are married. One works in a Philippine government unit, and the other follows in his father’s footsteps and is sent to Buenos Aires, the Argentine capital, as a foreign official. Mr. bradley was stationed all over the world, and served as the first secretary in Rome for several years, and then he was sent to a republic on the west coast of South America, where he finally died.
After the death of my brother-in-law, I asked Louisa to sell the house in Chicago, Eliot continued, but she couldn’t bear to part with it because it was the bradley family. The bradley family was a veteran family in Illinois. In 139, they moved from Virginia, and then they occupied a piece of land about 60 miles from Chicago now. Eliot hesitated to observe my reaction. The bradley family was the first person to settle here. Let’s call it pioneering. I’m not sure how much you know about the anti-19th century. Around the middle of the year, the midwest gradually released and immigrated. A large number of Virginia residents, including noble young brothers, were attracted by the unknown territory and were willing to leave the comfortable and luxurious growth environment. My brother-in-law father Chester bradley was optimistic about the future development of Chicago and entered a lawyer’s office. He later made enough money and of course lived a comfortable life.
Judging from Eliot’s speech, it seems that people don’t agree that Chester bradley left his inherited mansion land to run to the Ministry, but he later accumulated considerable wealth, which somewhat made up for this shortcoming. Later, Mrs. bradley showed me photos of their country house. Eliot was on the side, or rather called it a nest. It was a beautiful small garden in front of a simple house, but the barn, cowshed and pigsty were also a few feet away. I can’t help but think that Mr. Chester bradley must have known better before he left this house for the city.
We quickly stopped a car rental in front of a red brown sandstone house. This street can lead all the way to Hubin Avenue. The house is located in a connected house, which is narrow and high. The front door has several steep steps. This is a sunny autumn, and the appearance is still dead. People wonder how we can have an emotional door to it. A tall and strong black housekeeper, with white hair, led us to the living room. When Mrs. bradley saw us come in, she got up. Eliot introduced me. When Mrs. bradley was young, she must have been a beauty. Exquisite, but her eyes are bright and moving, but her sallow face has hung a few makeup, and she is obviously in a middle-aged obesity crisis. I guess she should stubbornly refuse to accept her fate, because she sits straight and upright with a cushioned chair back, but her tight vest is more comfortable than her. She wears a blue ceremonial weaver’s complicated and hard bra, and her collar is stretched high, and her white hair is ironed into waves, so we will chat first because another guest is still on the way.
Eliot said you came from the south. Mrs. bradley said she didn’t go to Rome.
Yes, I stayed there for more than a week.
How is that dear Queen Margaret?
I was so confused that I said I didn’t know.
Oh, didn’t you go to see her? She was very kind. She also warmly treated Mr. bradley when we were in Rome. At that time, she was the first secretary. Why didn’t you go to see her? You shouldn’t be too dark to enter Quirinal Palace like Eliot.
Of course not, I smiled. Actually, I don’t know the queen.
Really? Mrs. bradley said as if she couldn’t believe it. How?
To be honest, the family usually doesn’t like princes and nobles to fight
But she’s so sweet. Mrs. bradley’s tone is quite different. It seems that I don’t know the queen because I think highly of her. You must know her, too
Just then the door hit the housekeeper and came in, followed by Greg Brabasson.
Greg Brabasson’s name sounds romantic, but people don’t. He is short, fat, bald, with curly black hair around the back of his neck and ears, and his face is red. He seems to be sweating at any time. He is also an Englishman. When we meet in Bohemia, London, we often have a hearty laugh, but it is not difficult for the eye to find him so friendly and noisy. His appearance is a mask to cover up the image of a fine businessman. For many years, he has been a leader in London decoration. If Hong Zhong has a pair of fat hands.
The housekeeper came in again, this time with cocktails on the tray.
We won’t wait for Isabel, said Mrs. bradley, taking a glass of wine.
Where did she go? Eliot asked.
She Larry went to play golf and said she might be late.
Eliot turned to me and said Larry’s name was Lawrence Darrell and he should be engaged to Isabel.
Eliot, I didn’t know you were drinking cocktails, I said
I don’t drink it. He sipped the wine with displeasure, but this wild man just issued a prohibition order. Otherwise, what else can he drink? He sighed, and even some libraries in Paris responded. It was really hard.
Eliot, stop talking nonsense, said Mrs. bradley
Her tone is not malicious, but her attitude is very firm. It is obvious that she is noble. She winks at Eliot and smiles with a fine expectation. She should know Eliot’s temperament but she doesn’t know her opinion of Greg. Greg looks around her professionally as soon as she enters the door. This living room is really magnificent, and the walls are covered with exquisite wallpaper. The curtains are full of gorgeous prints, upholstered furniture and huge gold-framed oil paintings. It should be that bradley and his wife bought them in Rome, including the Madonna of Raphael and the Madonna of Rennie. For example, the landscape paintings of Zuccarelli School and the ruins of ancient Rome of panini School were brought back from Beijing, and the carved ebony tables and cloisonne vases were also bought in Chile or Peru. In the corner of the living room, the writing desk of Zieder was inlaid with gorgeous glass cabinets and silk lampshades. I don’t know which painter painted shepherds, men and women, wearing huaduo style rituals, although ugly, it was inexplicable. Living at home in the atmosphere made people feel that this chaotic combination was meaningful, and many things that didn’t meet the world were naturally integrated into one’s life.
After drinking cocktails, we walked into a young girl followed by a teenager again.
Are we late? she asked. Did I bring Larry back for him to eat?
Mrs. bradley should say with a smile, ring the bell and ask Eugene to prepare another seat
That was Eugene just now. I already told him
This is my daughter Isabel bradley. Mrs. turned to me and this is Lawrence Darrell.
Isabel shook hands quickly and turned to Greg without saying anything. You must be Mr. Brabasson. I’m so eager to meet you. I’m good. You designed the Clementine roof window. Don’t you think this living room is ugly? I advised my mother to redecorate it for many years. It happened that you were in Chicago. Tell me your opinion honestly.
I know that Mr. Brabasson can never tell the truth. He glanced at Mrs. bradley’s expression and recognized Isabel’s importance. Then he laughed.
It’s really comfortable here, he said, but if you really want to ask me something, it’s really ugly