play. But we recognized that these folk had to
do many unaccountable things, and after all it was their life, and not
ours, and we were not in a position to criticize. Besides, they had many
habits more objectionable than this one, which to us generally meant a
free and untrammelled afternoon, wherein to play the devil in our own
way. The case was different, however, when the press-gang was abroad,
when prayers and excuses were alike disregarded, and we were forced
into the service, like native levies impelled toward the foe less by the
inherent righteousness of the cause than by the indisputable rifles of
their white allies. This was unpardonable and altogether detestable.
Still, the thing happened, now and again; and when it did, there was no
arguing about it. The order was for the front, and we just had to shut
up and march.

Selina, to be sure, had a sneaking fondness for dressing up and paying
calls, though she pretended to dislike it, just to keep on the soft side
of public opinion. So I thought it extremely mean in her to have
the earache on that particular afternoon when Aunt Eliza ordered the
pony-carriage and went on the war-path. I was ordered also, in the same
breath as the pony-carriage; and, as we eventually trundled off, it
seemed to me that the utter waste of that afternoon, for which I had
planned so much, could never be made up nor atoned for in all the
tremendous stretch of years that still lay before me.

The house that we were bound for on this occasion was a "big house;" a
generic title applied by us to the class of residence that had a long
carriage-drive through rhododendrons; and a portico propped by fluted
pillars; and a grave butler who bolted back swing-doors, and came down
steps, and pretended to have entirely forgotten his familiar intercourse
with you at less serious moments; and a big hall, where no boots or
shoes or upper garments were allowed to lie about frankly and easily, as
with us; and where, finally, people were apt to sit about dressed up as
if they were going on to a party.

The lady who received us was effusive to Aunt Eliza and hollowly
gracious to me. In ten seconds they had their heads together and were
hard at it talking clothes. I was left high and dry on a straight-backed
chair, longing to kick the legs of it, yet not daring. For a time I was
content to stare; there was lots to stare at, high and low and around.
Then the inevitable fidgets came on, and scratching one's