Charlie Mason's mother was anxious to make him a good breakfast for his journey, but he was too excited to eat it.It was the day before Christmas and he was leaving for a trip to Paris.The previous day happened to be the quarterly closing day, and they had a busy day.His father didn't have to go to work today, so he drove him to Victoria Harbour.They were stuck in traffic for several minutes near Grosvenor Park on Charlie Street.He turned pale with anxiety from the fear of missing the train.Father secretly smiled and said: "There's still half an hour left, so make it."

But only when he got to the pier did he let go of his hanging heart. "Okay, son, I wish you a smooth journey." The father reminded again, "Don't cause trouble when you go out." The ship was slowly backing into the port of Calais, and Charlie was overjoyed to see the gray and tall buildings of the city.It was a cold and wet day, with a biting north wind.He strode lightly along the platform. The "Golden Arrow" train is parked there, and it looks luxurious and powerful, which is impressive.This is not an ordinary train, he wants to take this train to start a romantic journey.With the afterglow of the evening, he admired the scenery outside the car window. When he saw the beautiful scenery he had seen in the gallery, he was really happy.The sky in the distance was dark, and the scenery was also reflected in gray.Sand dunes, meadows and villages flashed past the car window one by one, and what I saw beside the railway were the sloping-roof houses of the poor.Then there appeared a vast arable land and barren woods, a spectacle that produced endless melancholy.It seemed that God didn't want to be attached to this monotonous scenery. After a while, he could only see himself and the furnishings in the compartment behind him on the window glass.This luxury carriage is decorated with exquisite mahogany furniture.He thought it would be better if he flew by plane.He had planned to fly, but his mother was firmly against it.She told her father that it was too dangerous to fly in winter for such a stupid thing.And the father was a very reasonable man, so he made taking the train a prerequisite for Charlie's trip.

Of course, Charlie had been to Paris before, at least five or six times.But this time was different, it was his first time traveling alone.This trip was a special reward from his dad because he worked in his office for a full year and passed the professional qualification exam.As far as Charlie could remember, his Christmases were spent in Godalming with his parents, his younger sister Patsy, and the Terry Mason family cousins.Leslie Mason, after discussing the matter with his wife one evening, smiled kindly and asked his son if he would like to go to Paris alone for a few days instead of spending Christmas with his family as usual.To explain this, it is necessary to review the history of the family.In the middle of the nineteenth century, there was an intelligent and hard-working man named Sebert Mason, who was once the head gardener in a luxurious Sussex manor, and later married a cook in the manor.He used their savings to buy a few acres of land in north London and set up a vegetable farm.Although he had just turned forty at the time and his wife was about the same age, they already had eight children.He earned a sum of money, with which he bought another small piece of wasteland.The City of London began to expand, and the outskirts of the city began to grow, and the value of his vegetable farm land increased.He built a row of villas with the money he borrowed from the bank, and soon rented them all out.It would be a bit tedious to describe the history of his fortune, but by the time he died at the age of eighty-four, the few acres of land he had purchased to plant vegetables for Covent Garden, and the land he had purchased successively were covered with Brick and concrete building.Seibert Mason was eager to study when he was a child, but he was unable to fulfill his wish due to his poor family. Therefore, he attached great importance to the education of his children and tried every means to send them to prestigious schools.The social status of their family is also rising.He gave the business he started a grand name-Mason Real Estate Company.Each of his children inherited a certain share in the company upon his death.While it can't compare to Westminster Realty or Portman Realty, Mason Realty is doing well.Due to its remote location, as a residential area, this property has no value at all, but it is used as shops, warehouses, factories, shanty houses, and the long rows of dark two-story buildings, but it brings tenants With a considerable income, the homeowners can live the life of the upper class they are now without having to work hard.Old Seibert's eldest son died in the First World War, and his eldest daughter fell to his death in a hunting activity.Now the eldest son has become the head of the family, and of course he is also rich.He was a member of Parliament and was made a baronet in King George's fifth Mardi Gras.He added his wife's name to his own and was now known as Sir Wilfred Terry Mason.He is very loyal to the Conservative Party and has a solid political position.The family hopes that these will help him rise to the next rank of title and become a nobleman.

Leslie Mason, the youngest of Seibert's many grandchildren, was educated at a private school and at Cambridge University.His share in the estate company entitles him to £2,000 a year.Besides, he was able to earn another thousand pounds a year as secretary of the company.Many of the third generation of the family had served their country in the far reaches of the British Empire, and many were playboys who spent years wandering abroad.Therefore, only the family members in England can meet for a general meeting every year.When Sir Wilfred took the chairman's seat and read out the company's performance report prepared by the hired professional accountants, all the participants were very satisfied.

Leslie Mason was a man of variable interests.He was in his early fifties, tall and handsome.His blue eyes, slightly longer gray hair and ruddy face give him an easy-going vibe.He looked more like a soldier or a colonial governor coming home on leave than a real estate agent.You would never guess that his grandfather was a gardener and his grandmother was a cook.He plays golf very well and never tires of it.But Leslie Mason is not only fond of sports, he also has a strong interest in works of art.No one else in the family has such eccentricities.Although they were amused by it, they all viewed Leslie's penchant with tolerance.But when a man wants to buy a piece of furniture or a painting, his opinion is sought, and his opinion is often accepted.He married the daughter of a painter, so of course she knew how to paint.His father-in-law was Jon Peron, who was a member of the Royal Academy for a long period from the 1880s until the end of the 19th century.His paintings show young women in eighteenth-century costumes flirting with men in similar attire.He earned a good fortune from these paintings.The backgrounds of the characters in the picture are mostly gardens planted with European flowers and plants, gazebos surrounded by green plants, and living rooms with tables and chairs.Of course, these tables and chairs coincide with the age of the characters in the picture.But if these paintings of his are now auctioned by Christie's Auction House, each painting can only be sold for thirty shillings or two pounds.Vinicia Mason inherited quite a few of these paintings after her father died, but they had sat dusty against the walls of the storage room for a long time.Although she is not a forgetful person, she thinks these paintings are very out of date in this day and age.The Leslie Masons were not at all ashamed that their grandmother had been a cook, and they often joked about it with their friends.But when it comes to Jon Perron, they feel embarrassed.Some of Mason's relatives still have his father-in-law's paintings on the walls of their homes, much to Venetia's embarrassment.

"You still have my father's pictures in your house," she said. "Aren't they out of date? Why don't you hang them in an empty house?" "My father-in-law was a nice, nice old man," Leslie said. "He could be described as personable, but I don't think he was a good painter." "Oh, my father paid a fortune for the picture. It's not quite right to hang a picture that cost three hundred pounds in a spare bedroom. But if you look at it like that Well, I think you might as well buy it back for £150." Despite being in the third generation, the Masons haven't lost their business savvy.

The Leslie Masons were like-minded in art appreciation after their marriage.They recently moved to near Porchester and have filled the walls of their beautiful new home with paintings by painters including Wilson Steele, Augustus John, Duncan Grant and Vanessa Bell.They also have a Utrillo and a Vuillard, both of which were bought when the master was not well-known and the prices for his works were not high.They also had a Derain, a Marquet and a Chirico.As soon as you enter their home, you will find that although the interior furniture and furnishings are very simple, there are always changes on the walls.They rarely miss a preview of an art exhibition; when they come to Paris, the Rosenborg art store and the art shop on the Rue Seine are must-sees, and they can see and buy from the small vendors here. Find something here.The two of them are people who really love painting, and the treasures they find are generally approved by the cultural reviews in the newspapers of the day.If there was an accident, it was either because they lacked confidence in their judgment on a particular painting or because the painting was asking too much.After all, Jon Perron, whose work has been praised by the best art critics, has sold his works for hundreds of pounds a piece, how much are these paintings worth now?Only two or three pounds.This example illustrates the need to be cautious when collecting paintings.But their interest in art is not limited to Tibetan paintings, they also love music.They cannot do without symphony concerts throughout the winter.They have their own favorite conductors who hold concerts and even give up some social activities.They go to an opera "The Ring" every year.Listening to music is a kind of physical and mental enjoyment for both of them.Their musical taste is first-rate, and they often listen to the first performance.They can appreciate music that ordinary people can't understand, and they belong to this specific circle.If a certain book on music becomes popular, they'll want to read it right away.This is not only because they love music, but also to keep up with the trend of the times.They are genuinely interested in art, and it would be unfair to show them the slightest bit of sarcasm because their taste is different or because they don't appreciate the overly daring.They may be somewhat conservative, but their appreciation level represents the highest level of that era.Although they cannot discover the artistic charm of some works themselves, they can quickly appreciate the discoveries of others.If there is no introduction, they may feel nothing in the face of Cézanne's works, but they soon realize that Cezanne is a very great painter, which they cannot realize by themselves.They don't think their tastes are so good, but they have their own unique views on works of art.

"We're just two very ordinary people," Venetia said. "We have a lot of admiration for painters, and we know what we appreciate," adds Leslie. This whole life devoted to art left them little time for social activities.They also don't like to follow suit.Although none of their friends are wealthy, they are all from well-to-do families, and they value spiritual life and have insight into things.They don't like to go to dinner parties very much, and they usually don't host dinner parties for friends except for the need of etiquette.But they like to treat friends who drop by on Sunday nights with light meals like creamy fish ball rice, sausage and mash.On such an occasion, everyone dresses casually and freely.On such occasions, friends will listen to music and play bridge together, and their conversations are full of wit and humor.It was a gathering that was characteristic of Mrs. and Mrs. Leslie Masons, unpretentious and cheerful.Although all the guests had their own cars and earned no less than £5,000 a year, they billed themselves as a bohemian party, a bit bohemian.

When evenings aren't at a concert or first show, Leslie Mason spends her time in the comfort of her little home.It is indeed a blessing to have such a home.His wife was beautiful back then, and even now she is middle-aged, she is still pretty.She was about the same height as her husband, with blue eyes and soft brown hair that had only recently shown some gray.She has a tendency to put on weight, but her height keeps her from looking fat.And she strictly controlled her diet to avoid the deterioration of her body shape.Her eyebrows are slightly thicker, her face is frank and sincere, with a shy smile.Although her clothing was also custom-made in Paris, it was made by a little woman on the street corner, not a famous brand.And no matter what she wears, she looks very British through and through.Although she occasionally patronizes high-end clothing stores, such as buying a hat at Reb's Cloakers, this fashionable hat looks like a military cap from an army or navy store on her head.It can be seen at a glance that she is a woman living in a middle-class family, living a carefree and honest life.She loved her husband deeply when she was married, and she still does so now.The two of them have common hobbies, no wonder they can get along well.They had agreed when they got married that she knew better about painting and he knew better about music.Therefore, on these issues, they can listen to the opinions of the wise party and avoid conflicts.For example, when referring to late Picasso, Leslie would say: "Well, to be honest, it took me a while to learn to like this style of painting, but it was love at first sight with Venetia. Ah, she's got a talent for that."

And Mrs. Mason admitted that she had to listen to Sibelius's Second Symphony three or four times to really understand why Leslie said that this music is as good as Beethoven's symphony, and has a unique charm. "Of course, he really understands music. Compared with him, I am almost musically blind." The Masons are not only in love with each other, but also with their children.They have two kids and think it's best.Because one child is easily spoiled, and the cost of raising three or four children is too high, not only will they not be able to live a comfortable life themselves, but the children will not be able to obtain a good education and ensure a good future.They take their responsibilities as parents seriously.From the time the children were babies, the walls of their rooms were not filled with silly, childish pictures, but reproductions of paintings by Van Gogh, Gauguin and Marie Laurentian.They want to develop artistic appreciation in children from an early age.They are also very careful about which lullaby to play to the children.As a result, the two children were familiar with Mozart, Haydn, Beethoven and Wagner before they could ride a bicycle.When the children were a little older, the couple began to hire very good teachers to teach them to play the piano.The children showed extraordinary talents in playing the piano, and Charlie was even more outstanding.Both children are keen audiences at concerts.They would scramble to get to a Sunday concert and have to memorize the score; they would wait patiently for hours for a ticket into the Covent Garden Art Gallery.The Masons believed that if children listened to music in a less comfortable environment, it could prove that they had a real passion for art, so they saw no need to buy expensive seats for their children.The Masons paid little attention to the works of the early European masters.They rarely go to the National Gallery unless a new auction hits the press.But they believe that children should be introduced to these early European art masterpieces, so as long as the children grow up, they should be taken to the National Gallery regularly.But they soon realized that if they wanted to give their children some artistic enjoyment, they had to take them to the Tate.They found that the modern art work here was more exciting for the children, which made the couple happy.

With a proud gleam in Leslie's kind eyes, he smiled and said to his wife: "Looking at the way these two little guys like Matisse's works, it's a bit like ducklings like to play in the water." She glanced at him, and said happily and regretfully: "The kids think I'm too old-fashioned because I still love Monet's work. They say it's pure chocolate boxes." "Oh, their tastes are ours. If they move on and we fall behind, we shouldn't complain, we should be happy." Venetia laughed happily, and the laughter was full of kindness. "Oh my dear, I don't hold a grudge against them even if they think I'm hopelessly outdated. No matter what they say I'll go on liking Monet and Manet and Degas." But the Masons had more than just an artistic education for their children. They were careful not to make them sentimental effeminates, and to develop their various physical skills.Both boys were excellent riders, and Charlie had an unusual marksmanship.Patsy had just turned eighteen and was studying at the Royal Academy of Music.She will be graduating this May, and the Masons are throwing a ball for her at the Claridge's.Mrs. Terry Mason also plans to take her to the royal ball.Patsy was so beautiful, with blonde hair, blue eyes, and a slim figure, coupled with her charming smile and cheerful personality, she would be immediately sought after.Leslie wants her to marry a promising young lawyer with political aspirations.With such a husband, combined with the wealth she would eventually inherit from Mason Properties and her culture, she would be an enviable wife.But it will be the end of their harmonious, warm and happy family life, which is too comfortable to let go.Their restaurant is fully equipped.Overhead is a Steele chandelier, surrounded by Chippendale sideboards, and the dining table is set with Waterford glasses and Georgian silver cutlery.While the family of four sat around the dining table for dinner, well-trained maids in neat uniforms waited on them.The dishes are simple but beautifully prepared, and are authentically British.After dinner, the family talked about art, literature and drama, drank a glass of port wine, and then went to the living room to listen to music and play bridge.This kind of life is really enjoyable.At least Charlie would have to wait a few years before getting married, which pleased Venetia.She thought it might be selfish of her to think so, but she couldn't help it. Charlie was born during the war and was twenty-three now.When Leslie had gone to Godalming to stay with his old father, Wilfred had suggested that he should send his son to Eton.Although he is now a member of parliament, there was only one knighthood at that time.Leslie said he would not follow that advice.He didn't really care about Eton's expensive tuition fees, but he felt that sending his son to such a school would only make his life a luxury, and the knowledge he acquired was not in line with his final position in life. "I have visited Rugby School myself, and I think it would be more appropriate to send him to study there." "I think you're wrong, Leslie. My sons all went to Eton. Thank God I'm not a snob, but I'm not a fool either. Eton is a gold standard, you can't deny that .” "That's true, but I'm in a very different position than you are. You're a very rich man and if all goes well you should be able to get into the House of Lords. I think you should give your sons a start like that, That's right. That way they can get their proper place in society. However, while my official title is Clerk at Mason Realty, which sounds respectable, I'm really just a clerk selling houses, I don't want my son to be a great gentleman, I want him to succeed me and be a real estate agent too." When Leslie said this, he didn't mean to offend his father.According to the old Seibert's will, plus the things mentioned above, Wilfred now owns 3/8 of the shares of Mason Real Estate Company, and the income brought by this property is already considerable, and With the lease expiring, the property increasing in value and doing well, there is sure to be a big increase in his income.He was a vigorous, intelligent man, whose social position and wealth put his family under his command, and which no one challenged.But he didn't get angry knowing that someone didn't listen to his advice. "You don't mean to say that you are satisfied with letting your child take over your class?" "The job is enough for me. Why shouldn't he be content? Who knows what the world will be like, and he might be able to earn an easy thousand pounds a year for one of these when he grows up." I’m secretly having fun with my job. Of course, you have the final say on this family.” Wilfred made a gesture as if to object to the last sentence. "Like everyone else in my family, I am just a shareholder of the company. Personally, if you want him to take your place, I have no problem. Of course, this day is still early, and I may not wait until then die." "The elders of our family live long, and you will live long like old Seibert. Anyway, after I retire, my son will take over this position, so that the rest of the family will know that there is such an unspoken thing There's no harm in that." In order for the children to be well-informed, the Mason family often goes abroad for vacation.In winter, they go where they can ski, and in summer they choose seaside resorts in the south of France.Driven by the same idea, the family also took a trip or two to Italy and Holland.When Charlie graduated from secondary school, his father decided to send him to Tours, France, for six months to learn French before he entered Cambridge University.But half a year in this delightful city turns out to be unexpected, maybe even catastrophic.Because he announced after his trip that he did not want to go to Cambridge to study, but to go to Paris, and he hoped to be a painter.His parents were dumbfounded.The couple love art and often say art is the most important thing in their lives.Leslie sometimes even thinks that, from a philosophical point of view, being busy in the world is meaningless, and only art can redeem the value of life.He also had the utmost respect for artists, but never expected any member of the family, especially his own son, to choose this profession.The life of an artist is often not smooth, and can even be described as rough.And most people who make a living from art don't have a lot of money.And Venetia could not forget her father's fate.It's a little unfair to say that the Leslie couple are good dragons, as their son takes their art obsession more seriously than they'd like.Their obsession couldn't be more serious, but from a patron's point of view.Even though the couple's lifestyle is very bohemian, with Mason Realty behind them, anyone can see that it's different to have that backbone.Their reaction to Charlie's statement was clear, but they knew it wouldn't be easy to convey it in a way that didn't make Charlie think they were being a little disingenuous. "I don't know how he got such an idea," Leslie said to his wife. "I guess it's genetic. My dad was an artist after all." "My dear, he can only be called a painter. A man in his right mind would not call him an artist, though he was a wonderful gentleman, and a wonderful talker." Venetia's face flushed, and Leslie knew that what she had just said had hurt her feelings.He hastened to make amends. "If Charlie has inherited a sense of art, it's more likely to be from my grandmother. Old Seibert used to say that you didn't know brisket onion until you tasted it. When she wasn't cooking By becoming the wife of a vegetable grower instead of a cook, the world has lost a great artist." Venetia smiled and forgave him. They knew each other too well to be able to get out of such a dilemma very naturally.The kids love them and respect them too.The couple agreed that it would be a pity if a slight erroneous word could have shaken Charlie's faith in the wisdom and integrity of his parents.Young people are narrow-minded, if you tell them the truth, they will think you are an old liar. "I don't think it's wise to go against a man's ideas outright. Going against it just makes him stubborn," said Venetia. "It's a delicate situation. I don't deny that at all." To make matters worse, Charlie brought back several paintings from Tours.When he showed them, what they had said was irrevocable now.At that time, they not only appreciated the paintings, but also praised Charlie for his artistic vision. "You could take Charlie into the room full of boxes one morning and show him your father's paintings. Don't make it look like you did it on purpose, you know that, make it look like it was an accident . And then if I get the right opportunity, I'll talk to him." The opportunity has come.One day Leslie sat down in the living room.This is a room specially prepared for children so that they have a space of their own.Copies of paintings by Gauguin and Van Gogh that once hung in the children's rooms now adorn the walls of this living room.In front of Charlie was a green vase filled with flowers of various colors.He is sketching. "I think it would be best to take down the reproductions and put the pictures you brought back from France in frames and hang them on the wall. We'll have a look at the pictures." One of the paintings shows three apples on a blue and white plate. Leslie said: "I think it's a great painting. I've seen hundreds of sketches of three apples on a blue and white plate, but this one is way above average." He chuckles Laughing, "Poor old Cézanne, I don't know what he would say if he knew that this work of his would be imitated thousands of times." The other painting is still life, showing a bottle of red wine, a pack of French tobacco leaves wrapped in blue wrapping paper, a pair of white gloves, a stack of newspapers and a violin.These items are arranged on a table covered with a green and white checkered tablecloth. "This picture is well drawn, and the person who can draw this picture must be very promising." "Do you really see it that way, Dad?" "Indeed. But this painting is far from original. Every dealer has a dozen or so paintings of this kind in his store. But you have never learned to paint, and this painting you painted is Very nice. You obviously inherited your grandfather's artistic talent. You've seen his work, haven't you?" "Originally I hadn't seen it in years. Mum wanted to find something in the box room and she showed me the pictures. I thought they were terrible." "Let it be. But in his day the paintings were just the opposite. They were highly praised and sold out. So keep in mind that many of the things we admire now were fifty years ago. Then people will judge it as terrible. This is the cruel side of art, and there is no room for second-rate works." "But you can only know if you can do it alone if you try it." "Of course it is, but if you want to make painting your future career, neither Mum nor I will stand in your way. You know we both love art very much." "My favorite job in the world is painting." "You will have your own shares in Mason Real Estate Company, and the dividends from these shares will be enough for you to live on. It's not bad to be an amateur. There are several amateur painters who are famous for their works." "Oh, but I don't want to be just an amateur." "It's not easy to make anywhere else from £1,000 to £1,500 a year. I'm a little disappointed if you don't take a job like this. My estate company secretary is reserved for you." Yes, but I'm guessing your other cousins ​​will grab the job too. My opinion is that it's better to be a good businessman than a mediocre painter, but that doesn't matter. The most important thing is that you can be happy, Our hope is that you can become a better painter than your grandfather in the future." Neither of them spoke.Lesley looked at his son lovingly. "All I ask of you is one thing. My grandfather started out as a gardener and his wife was a cook. I have only vague memories of him, but I think he was a rough diamond with a lot of sparkle. Grandparents used to say it takes three generations to make a gentleman. Now I act like a gentleman. You're part of the fourth generation. You might think I'm a bit of a snob , but it is not easy for our family to obtain the current social status, you should keep the honor of the family. I hope you can go to Cambridge to study, after you get the degree, if you want to go to Paris to study painting again, I will support you. " Charlie felt his father was very open-minded, and he accepted the condition with gratitude.He is very happy living in Cambridge.He didn't have much time for painting, but he became interested in drama and wrote two one-act plays himself during his freshman year.Both plays were staged at the ADC Theatre, and the Leslie couple even went to Cambridge to watch the performances.Later, he met a mentor who was a brilliant musician.Charlie played the piano at a higher level than most undergraduates, and he played duets with his tutor.He also studied chords and polyphony.After consideration, he decided to be a musician instead of a painter.Father cheerfully agreed to his plan, but when Charlie got his degree he took him to Norway to fish for two weeks.About two or three days before they were due to return, Venetia received a telegram from Leslie that contained only one word, "Eureka."Although she didn't quite understand the word, the meaning it represented was very clear, and the basic function of language had been fulfilled.She let out a long breath of relief.From September, Charlie worked for four months in the accounting firm hired by Mason Real Estate Company to learn some accounting knowledge.When the New Year came, the father and son had a small dinner at the Lincoln Hotel.As a reward for his first year with the company, his father now pocketed twenty-five pounds and rewarded him with a trip to Paris.Charlie decided to have a good time this time.