Actuated now by this lifelong faith in literal
furniture, she sat down with the utmost determination where she was
bid; but the bottom offered no resistance to her descending weight
and she sank. She threw out her hands and her hat tilted over her
eyes. It seemed to her that she was enclosed up to her neck in
what might have been a large morocco bath-tub--which came to an end
at her knees. She pushed back her hat, crimson.
"That was a surprise," she said, frankly admitting the fault, "but
there'll never be another such."
"I am afraid you found it warm walking, Pansy," said Mrs. Meredith,
opening her fan and handing it to her.
"Oh, no, Mrs. Meredith, I never fan!" said Pansy, declining
breathlessly. "I have too much use for my hands. I'd rather
suffer and do something else. Besides, you know I am used to
walking in the sun. I am very fond of botany, and I am out of
doors for hours at a time when I can find the chance."
Mrs. Meredith was delighted at the opportunity to make easy vague
comment on a harmless subject.
"What a beautiful study it must be," she said with authority.
"Must be!" exclaimed Pansy; "why, Mrs. Meredith, don't you _know_?
Don't you understand botany?"
Pansy had an idea that in Dent's home botany was as familiarly
apprehended as peas and turnips in hers.
"I am afraid not," replied Mrs. Meredith, a little coolly. Her
mission had been to adorn and people the earth, not to study it.
And among persons of her acquaintance it was the prime duty of each
not to lay bare the others' ignorance, but to make a little
knowledge appear as great as possible.
Pages:
155
156
157
158
159
160
161
162
163
164
165
166
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179