There was much interchange of family gossip, and it was thought well to build side by side.

So Cowperwood, Sr., bought fifty feet of ground next to his son's thirty-five, and together they commenced the erection of two charming, commodious homes, which were to be connected by a covered passageway, or pergola, which could be inclosed with glass in winter.
The most popular local stone, a green granite was chosen; but Mr.
Ellsworth promised to present it in such a way that it would be especially pleasing.

Cowperwood, Sr., decided that he could afford to spent seventy-five thousand dollars--he was now worth two hundred and fifty thousand; and Frank decided that he could risk fifty, seeing that he could raise money on a mortgage.

He planned at the same time to remove his office farther south on Third Street and occupy a building of his own.

He knew where an option was to be had on a twenty-five-foot building, which, though old, could be given a new brownstone front and made very significant.