ccurred, I don't quite know what, but I
suddenly felt a damp and gluey mess on my face, and then it was around
my neck, and then I discovered that a portion of it had in some way got
tangled up with my legs, upon which I think I became rather positive,
for I seem to have wadded up several gooey balls of chintzy decoration
and hurled them through the open window, far out upon the sun-flecked
yard.

I went below and washed up, and for a time sat under the maple shade and
smoked. When more calm I said: "This is nothing--it is only a first
lesson. Paper-hanging requires probationary study and experiment. It is
not a natural gift, an extempore thing like authorship and song. I have
paper enough to afford another lesson. This time I shall consider deeply
and use great care."

I went back and prepared another strip, humbly and without any attempt
at style. This time, too, I did not consider the line of the ceiling,
but conformed to the vertical edge of Westbury's final strip, allowing
my loose section to dangle like a plumb-line several moments before
permitting it to get its death-grip on the wall. I will not say that
this second attempt was an entire success, but it was a step in that
direction. With a little smudging, a slight wrinkle or two, and a small
torn place, it would do, and I was really quite pleased with myself when
I observed it from across the room and imagined a kindly bureau just
about in that spot.

I hung another strip, and another. Some went on very well, some with
heavy travail, and with results that made me grateful for our pictures
and furniture. Yet it became fascinating work; it was like piecing out
some vast picture-puzzle, one that might be of some use when finished. I
improved, too. I was several days finishing the up-stairs, and by the
time I got it done I had got back some of the dash I started off with. I
could slap on the paste and swing the strip to the wall so handily that
I was sorry Elizabeth was not there to observe me.

I went below and papered the kitchen. There were a lot of little shelves
and cubby-nooks there, but they were only a new and pleasant variation
to the picture-puzzle. I did the small room off the kitchen, including
the ceiling, which was a new departure and at first discouraging. I was
earning probably as much as a dollar and a half a day and I was
acquiring at least that much in vanity and satisfaction, besides
learning a new trade which might come handy in a day of ne