Let me see, I'll read an hour and
sleep three, and then it will be time to dress for dinner. Oh,
good-morning, Mr. Van Berg," she says to the artist who had been
listening to her while apparently giving close attention to Mrs.
Mayhew's interminable tirade against rainy days; "I have just been
envying you gentlemen who can kill stupid hours by smoking."
"I admit that it is almost as bad as sleeping."
"I see that you have a homily prepared on improving the time, so
I shall escape at once."
On the stairs she met Miss Burton, who was descending with a breezy
swiftness as if she were making a charge on the general gloom and
sullenness of the day.
"Good-morning, Miss Mayhew," she said; "I'm glad to see you looking
so well after the severe shaking up you had yesterday. You would
almost tempt one to believe that rough usage is sometimes good for
us."
"I have no such belief, I assure you. Yesterday was bad enough,
but to-day promises to be worse. I was going to make up a boating
party, but what can one do when the water is overhead instead of
under the keel?"
"Scores of things," was the cheery reply. "I'm going to have a
good time."
"I'm going to sleep," said Ida, passing on.
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