My gifts that I had purchased from Mr. Levitz were a resounding success with my uncle and Will. One of the gifts, though, had unforeseen consequences that caused me no end of unsettlement for a few days.
I believe my uncle was unused to being given presents, so strong were his feelings. He praised the Venetian glass set and insisted that it top the sideboard in the dining room. The bronze dancing faun he placed on his desk, saying that he would think of me every time his gaze rested upon it. He also agreed that it bore an uncanny resemblance to Will.
Fashionable homes at the time had what was termed a "Moorish corner", a repository for the exotic. My rug was immediately placed there beneath my uncle's favorite chair. He swanned about modeling the Japanese kimono and proclaimed it his favorite item of clothing. The fez also found a home in the Moorish corner, to be worn while my uncle indulged in his bubble pipe.
Will insisted upon modeling the short Japanese coat we had bought him and when he found where the length hit him, he stripped off his clothing in the front hall and donned the coat. The length was such that several inches of his flaccid penis dangled below the hem and in the back, the bottoms of his full buttocks were exposed to view. My uncle said that it was the gilding on the lily.
"Let me know the next time that handsome carriage driver will be calling" Will said. "I'd like to answer his knock dressed like this."
"And perhaps you'd also like to be locked in the pantry whenever someone calls." my uncle said.
The painting of the nude man wrestling with the stallion was placed in a position of honor on our bedroom wall. My uncle often remarked that the figure reminded him of someone whom he couldn't place.
But it was Will's other gift that caused a rift in the household.
Two days after my shopping spree, Daniel rang the front bell. He had taken to running errands for Mr. Steinberg so I suspected what his mission was. Philip answered the door and was confronted by Daniel cradling a large pasteboard box that was almost bigger than him.
"I got a package for Master Will." he said.
My uncle, Will and I were sitting in the parlor and overheard, so we all strode to the door.
"For you from Mr. Steinberg." Daniel said, handing the large parcel to Will.
"I haven't ordered any new clothing for you." my uncle said, mystified. He handed some coins to Daniel who took off running back to the tailor shop.
Will placed the parcel on the floor and cut the strings with his penknife. When he lifted the lid he found inside the green suit that I had selected for him.
"How very odd." my uncle said. "Is there a card?"
There was, indeed, tucked into the front of the jacket. Will withdrew it from its envelope, read it and looked at us with an amazed expression.
"It reads 'From Your Admirer'." he told us.
My uncle snapped, "Let me see that." and grabbed the missive from his hand.
Will lifted the suit and then hurried into the front parlor where he divested himself of his outer garments and donned the new suit. When he strolled out for our review, he was a stunning picture.
The suit was perfectly cut to enhance Will's body and the color highlighted his pale complexion and flaming hair and green eyes. I think he had never looked more attractive.
He looked at himself in the long pier mirror and said, "So, I have an admirer who sends me gifts. He certainly knows how to make me look my best. Probably he's seen me coming and going and has developed a secret passion for me. He must be wealthy to afford such an extravagant gift. I wonder who he could be."
My uncle, still puzzling over the card, thrust it toward Will and asked, "Who is this?"
"I don't know." Will said. "But, if I were you, I'd be on my best behavior from now on. A gentleman who can afford such a fancy gift is probably more than capable of luring me away to become his consort."
All color drained from my uncle's face and he merely said, "Excuse me." and mounted the stairs.
"I think I pushed it a bit too far, that time." Will said.
"I think you did, indeed." Philip replied.
Knowing that I could solve the mystery I followed my uncle upstairs.
"I must speak with you for a moment." I told him.
He was donning his overcoat and gloves and he replied, "I have urgent business to take care of. We may converse on my return." He swept past me and descended the staircase.
As he donned his hat Will asked, "Shall I accompany you?"
"I don't find that necessary." my uncle replied.
"Then shall I go and summon a carriage?" Will asked.
"I'm perfectly capable of doing that for myself." my uncle stated. "I should probably become used to doing everything for myself."
With that, he opened the door and hurried down the steps to the street.
"Lordy, I've never seen him so annoyed before." Will said.
I looked guiltily at Philip, who said, "Perhaps he'll be in better spirits when he returns."
Will spent the rest of the afternoon lurking near the front door and a few hours later we heard a carriage stop in front of our house. We all rushed to the window and watched as my uncle alighted, then stood engaged in conversation with the driver for at least a quarter of an hour.
The driver was a muscular young man of the Black Irish sort, coal black curly hair that shimmered in the sun and pale blue eyes set in a milk white complexion. He was strikingly handsome and even as he sat it was apparent that he had a well sculpted and attractive body. Will, I could tell, was simmering with resentment that my uncle lavished so much attention on the driver.
When their conversation finally concluded my uncle turned and mounted the steps to the front door.
"And who was that you were jawing with?" Will asked, meeting him in the hallway.
"Oh, hello Will." my uncle replied in a very offhand manner. "That was Edgar, a driver from the stable. Such an attractive young man and charming, to boot. He's obviously educated and ambitious. With the right patronage, I predict that young man will go far."
Will's eyes narrowed to slits and he asked in a strangled voice, "Is there anything you require?"
"Oh, no, run along. I just want to sit here and reminisce about my trip." my uncle said with a vague smile.
Will, the picture of fury, stomped from the room.
"Uncle, was that kind?" I asked.
"Don't question me!" he snapped, then recovered himself. "Please forgive me, I've had a trying day." he said.
"Uncle, I was the sender of the suit." I told him. "I had no desire to create disharmony."
"I know that." my uncle said. "Where did you think I had gone? I flew to Mr. Steinberg's and demanded to know who Will's admirer was. He confessed that the card was his own inspiration and that he hadn't thought to cause upheaval. It was an innocent mistake."
"But Will is still upset." I said.
"A hardy dose of his own medicine shouldn't be more than the fair Will can bear." he replied with a smile.
A few minutes later Will came into the room and said, "I have to run a quick errand, I'll return shortly."
He left and my uncle sat in the parlor with a slight smile.
Will returned about a quarter hour later, looking triumphant.
"I just had a conversation with Micah about your new friend Edgar." he told my uncle. "Micah said that he is an opportunist who's well known for his flattering attention to his customers, all in hopes of material gain. He also said that he's a well known slut and that it wouldn't be surprising if he had a nasty woman's disease."
"It might be worth taking the chance to be on intimate terms with such a fetching and accommodating young man." my uncle replied, at which Will swiveled on his heel and stomped back into the kitchen.
Will sulked the remainder of the day and evening and at bedtime he insisted that instead of his usual spot between my uncle and Philip he be allowed to sleep next to me on the far edge of the bed, a mattress expanse between my uncle and himself. He spent the night turning and thrashing to the extent that the next morning I felt thoroughly pummeled.
After a breakfast notable only for its gloominess, my uncle, Philip and I were once more seated in the parlor while Will isolated himself in the kitchen. At mid-morning the bell rang again and poor Will stomped to the door to answer.
Daniel once more stood outside, this time with a different burden.
"These are for you." he said as he handed Will a bouquet of carnations and a heart shaped pasteboard box of chocolates.
"Who sent them?" Will asked.
"I don't know, I never saw him before." Daniel replied.
By now the three of us were also standing in the entry hall and my uncle handed Daniel some coins and sent him on his way.
"Carnations, what pedestrian taste." my uncle commented. He took the box of chocolates from Will, opened it and selected one and bit into it.
"Phew, factory made and stale besides." he said with a grimace. He handed the box back to Will who, looking miserable, slunk back into the kitchen.
I looked at my uncle and he said, "Just trust me. And not a word to Will."
A short while later my uncle came down from upstairs dressed for the outdoors.
"Are we going somewhere?" Will asked as he came into the hall.
"I am." my uncle replied. "I have business to attend to and I've already arranged for Edgar to pick me up. I'm sure that you can find enough to keep yourself busy in my absence."
He departed and Will watched him climb into Edgar's carriage, the picture of abject misery. Then, with heavy feet, he retired to the kitchen once more.
My uncle was only gone for about an hour when Philip and I heard the carriage once more stop out front. My uncle climbed the stairs and entered the entry hall. In his arms he carried an enormous bundle of flowers, examples of every type available and in his hand he clutched a beribboned box of fine chocolates.
