Jane Admires 



Here is the drawing-room, almost altogether a 

 summer room. It used to be an oblong with which 

 it was practically impossible to do anything. The 

 nicely leaded door into the garden was there, but, 

 do what I would, I could not make it my room, 

 until it occurred to me that I wanted a dressing- 

 room out of my bedroom, which is above it. There- 

 fore, I decided to build out ; but not the whole 

 length of the room ; that would take more of the 

 garden than I could spare. Half the room then, to 

 make another window. That made an L shape, 

 and it followed naturally that the window in the 

 heel of the L should jut into the room instead of 

 out of it. At once that gave an unusual tone, and 

 it had the practical advantage that, outside, a seat 

 could be placed in the bend and a little roof built 

 over it ; it faces due south, and is a regular sun- 

 trap, even in winter. Invalid visitors are placed 

 there, and they have a view right away to the 

 river — i n reality not much more than a hundred 

 yards, but that is quite enough space in which 

 to dream. There are no immense distances 

 here, but there is a sense of peace, a feeling of 

 being closed in by the pines, and, I hope, an 

 atmosphere of happiness ! There should be, if 

 joy in creation, which is the only joy, counts 

 for anything. 



27 



