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Complete This Phrase / Fill In The Blank(s) - 1840/1841 / Re: Episode #1143
« on: April 18, 2017, 08:31:34 PM »
They could sure use one of those in Collinsport!!
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"I'm afraid you'd be most uncomfortable," Elizabeth
said. "We have forty rooms at Collinwood. There is no
need for you to stay here."
Perhaps as many as forty if you include bathrooms, alcoves, basement rooms, etc. ...
Roger opened the door for the others and stood by as they entered. Then he followed them inside. The air in the hallway had a stale, damp smell which made it apparent that the building had long been deserted. Elizabeth said, "We've never had electricity put in." Roger let the beam of the flashlight wander to expose the decay that had set in the ancient structure. "It's a strange house," he said. "When I was a boy, I used to play here. But I always felt as if I were trespassing. As if it belonged to someone else." They moved into the drawing room with its atmosphere of phantoms. The dust covers on various items of the furniture stood out in the semi-darkness like squat ghosts. Everywhere there were dust, cobwebs and the dank smell of age and corruption. Roger shone the flashlight on the fireplace. "We probably should have torn it down long ago," he said. "I'm glad you didn't," Barnabas answered quietly. Elizabeth spoke up, "You see the molding and the fireplaces are original." "Everything is,"Roger grumbled. "That's the trouble." Barnabas was standing in the near darkness staring around the room. He seemed lost in his thoughts, barely listening to them. Elizabeth decided he was probably comparing the stories he'd been told about the house with the rather drab reality. At last he turned to them and said, "I should like to live here." Roger's mouth dropped open. "Surely you're joking?" "Not at all." "I'm afraid you'd be most uncomfortable," Elizabeth said. "We have forty rooms at Collinwood. There is no need for you to stay here." "Exactly," Roger said. "We want you to be our house guest." Barnabas shook his head. "No, I'm serious. I have an idea about this place. I'd like to restore it as it was then." "That would cost a fortune," Roger protested. "It would be worth it," Barnabas said quietly. There was a moments silence as they both stared at him. Rather than seeming appalled at the wretched con- dition of the house, he appeared to accept it as a chal- lenge. There could be no doubt that he must be both very wealthy and extremely fond of the ancient place. At last Elizabeth said, "Well, you're certainly more than welcome to it." |
They both look at him. LIZ Well, you're certainly more than welcome to it. DISSOLVE TO: |