I could stand up in the fireplace, and it took two men to put on an everyday log, four the Christmas one.

On each side were the book shelves above, and the linen closets below.

The mantel set between these, and mother always used the biggest, most gorgeous bouquets there, because she had so much room.

The hearth was a slab of stone that came far into the room.

We could sit on it and crack nuts, roast apples, chestnuts, and warm our cider, then sweep all the muss we made into the fire.