THAT IS TO SAY,
A ROOM DECORATED ACCORDING TO
THE ADVICE OF
CHEVIOT’S
(FOUNDED 1930)
From time to time hangings on the left parted to admit the pink of
footmen, who added fuel to the fire and swept and garnished the hearth
before retiring. So soon as it was dusk the footman switched on the
lamp, which was heavily shaded. Save for the flickering fire, this was
the sole illuminant. Not until half-past eight were the window curtains
drawn and ‘the Cheviot room’ veiled from curious gaze.
The door of the shop admitted to a stately entrance-hall, paved with
black and white marble, panelled with old grey oak, invisibly lit. Four
aged chancel stalls, each dight with a crimson cushion, faced a pair of
huge oak doors hung in the opposite wall. On the left, a superb triptych
of the Flemish School surmounted a carved oak chest; on the right, a
tall case clock rose between two panels which suggested the brush of
Dürer. Upon the ceiling was stencilled a golden cipher, whose interlaced
initials seemed to be T.B.C. In the centre of the hall was a table, and
by the table a bench, heavily carved and bearing a cushion covered with
crimson brocade.
To such as entered the shop a footman immediately appeared and,
conducting them to the table, respectfully drew their attention to an
ivory horn-book inlaid with ebony lettering.
UPON REQUEST MR. OR MRS. CHEVIOT WILL VISIT YOUR HOUSE TO SURVEY
THE ROOM YOU MAY WISH TO DECORATE.
THEIR OPINION WILL BE SENT TO YOU THE DAY AFTER THEIR VISIT HAS
BEEN PAID.
NEITHER FOR THEIR VISIT NOR FOR THEIR OPINION WILL ANY CHARGE BE
MADE.
UPON FURTHER REQUEST MR. OR MRS. CHEVIOT WILL REVISIT YOUR HOUSE
WHEN THE WORK HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND, PROVIDED THE DECORATION IS
TO THEIR SATISFACTION, WILL BE PREPARED TO AFFIX TO THE CEILING
THE BADGE OR CIPHER WHICH ALONE WILL ENTITLE THE CHAMBER TO BE
STYLED ‘A CHEVIOT ROOM.’