By Hawthorne's time, the house had only three gables, but his cousin told him the house's history, and showed him beams and mortises in the attic indicating locations of former gables.
The house had only three gables. This was by Hawthorne's time. His cousin told him the house's history. His cousin showed. Him beams and mortises in the attic. This attic is indicating locations of former gables.