If it was filled with old mahogany and hung with damask-satin, Mrs.Wickersham had carved walnut and gorgeous hangings.

And as to those white marble busts, and those books that were everywhere, she much preferred her brilliant figures which she "had bought in Europe," and books were "a nuisance about a house." They ought to be kept in a library, as she kept hers--in a carved-walnut case with glass doors.
The real cause of Mrs.Wickersham's dislike of Mrs.Wentworth lay deeper.
The elder lady had always been gracious to Mrs.Wickersham when they met, as she was gracious to every one, and when a very large entertainment was given by her, had invited Mrs.Wickersham to it.

But Mrs.Wickersham felt that Mrs.Wentworth lived within a charmed circle.
And Mrs.Wickersham was envious.
It must be said that Ferdy needed no instigation to supersede Norman in any way that did not require too much work.

He and Norman were very good friends; certainly Norman thought so; but at bottom Ferdy was envious of Norman's position and prestige, and deep in his heart lurked a long-standing grudge against the older boy, to which was added of late a greater one.

Norman and he fancied the same girl, and Louise Caldwell was beginning to favor Norman.
Ferdy announced to his father that the class-honor would be won if he would give him money enough, and the elder Wickersham, delighted, told him to draw on him for all the money he wanted.