"So you've become a big-shot designer, have you? Well, let's see how good you are. I'm taking my new gir#'riend to a charity ball Saturday night. She's your size. I want you to design a dress for her." "Saturday? I can't, Father. I.. ''ll do it.' 130 @And she had designed the ugliest dress she could conceive of. It had a large black bow in front and yards of ribbons and lace. It was a monstrosity. She had sent it to her father, and he had telephoned her again. ' got the dress. By the way, my giry'riend can't make it Saturday, so you're going to be my date, and you're going to wear that dress." And then the terrible phrase: ' don't want to dbgppoint me, do yotc?' I And she had gone, not daring to change the dress, and had spent the most humiliating evening of her life. 4,For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away;blessed be the name of the Lord!"' Peggy Stanford was uncomfortable. She was awed by the splendor of the huge church and the elegantlooking people in it. She had never been to Boston before, and to her it meant the world of Stanfords, with all its pomp and glory. These people were so much better than she was. She took her husband's hand. "'All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field ... The grass withereth, the flower fadeth; but the word of our God shall stand forever." 131 Marc was thinking about the blackmail letter that his wife had received. It had been worded very carefully, very cleverly. It would be impossible to find out who was behind it. He looked at Kendall, seated next to him, pale and tense. How much more can she take? he wondered. He moved closer to her. "'Unto God's gracious mercy and protection we commit you. The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you. The Lord lift up the light of his countenance upon you and give you peace, now and forever. Amen."' With the service finished, the minister announced, The burial services will be private - family members only.* Tyler looked at the coffin and thought about the body inside. Last night, before the casket was secured, he had gone straight from Boston's Logan International Airport to the viewing at the funeral home. He wanted to see his father dead. Woody watched as the coffin was carried out of the church past the staring mourners, and he. smiled: Give the peopk what they want. The graveside ceremony at the old Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge was brief. The family watched Harry Stanford's body being lowered to its final resting place, and as the dirt was being thrown onto the casket 132 the minister said, "There's no need for you to stay any longer if you don't wish to.' Woody nodded. '.' The effect of the heroin was beginning to wear off, and he was starting to feel -Jittery. ''s get the hell out of here.' Marc said, ' are we going?' Tyler turned to the group. ''re staying at Rose Hill. It's all been arranged.,We'll stay there until the estate is settled." few minutes later, they were in limousines on their way to the house. Boston had a strict social hierarchy. The nouveaux riches lived on Commonwealth Avenue, and the social climbers on Newbury Street.
Less affluent old families lived on Marlborough Street. Back Bay was the city's newest and most prestigious address, but Beacon Hill was still the citadel for Boston's oldest and wealthiest families. It was a rich mixture. of Victorian townhouses and brownstones, old churches and chid shopping areas. Rose Hill, the Stanford estate, was a beautiful old Victorian house that stood amid three acres of land on Beacon Hill. The house that the Stanford children had grown-up in was filled with unpleasant memories. When the limousines arrived in front of the house, the passengers got out and stared up at the old mansion. ' can't believe Father isn't going to be inside, waiting for us,' Kendall said.
133 Woody grinned. ''s too busy trying to run things In hell.' Tyler took a deep breath. ''s go.' As they approached the front door it opened, and Clark, the butler, stood there. He was in his seventies, a dignified, capable servant who had ' at Rose Hill for more than thirty years. He had watched the children grow up, and had lived through all the scandals. Clark's face lit up as he saw the group. ' afternoon!' Kendall gave him a warm hug. ', ifs so good to see you again-" been a long time, Miss. Kendall."'s Mrs. Renaud now. This is my husband, Marc." do you do, sir?' "My wife has told me a great deal about you." too terrible I hope,'sir.' , the contrary.
She has only fond memories of YOU. ' you, sir.1 Clark turned to Tyler. ' afternoon, Judge Stanford.", Clark.' . ''s a pleasure to see you, sir." you. You're -looking very well." are you, sir. I'm so sorry about what has happened." you. Are you set up here to take care of all of us?' 134 Goh, yes. I think we can make everyone comfortable. ' I in my old room?' Clark smiled. ' right.' He turned to Woody. 411m pleased to see you, Mr. Woodrow. I want to -' Woody grabbed Peggy's arm. ' on,' he said curtly. ' want to get freshened up.' The others watched as Woody pushed past them ' took Peggy upstairs. The rest of the group walked into the huge drawing room. The room was dominated by a pair of massive Louis XIV armoires.
Scattered around the room were a giltwood console table with a molded marble top, and an array of exquisite period chairs and couches. An olu chandelier hung from the high ceiling. On the walls were dark medieval paintings. Clark turned to Tyler. ' Stanford, I have a message for you. Mr. Simon Fitzgerald would like you to telephone him to tell him when it would be convenient to arrange a meeting with the family." is Simon Fitzgeraldt Marc asked. Kendall replied. ''s the family attorney. Father has been with him forever but we've never met him." presume he wants to discuss the disposition of the estate,' Tyler said.
He turned to the others. ' it's all right with all of you, I'll. arrange for him to meet us here tomorrow morning." w;ll be fine,' Kendall said. 135 ' chef is preparing dinner,'Clark told them.'Will eight o'clock be satisfactory?",' Tyler said. ' you." and Millie will show you to your rooms.' Tyler turned to his sister and her husband. ''ll meet down here at eight, shall we?' As Woody and Peggy entered their bedroom upstairs, Peggy asked, ' you all right?"'m fine,' Woody snapped. ' me alone.' She watched him go into the bathroom and slam the door shut. She stood there, waiting.