beneath could compose themselves so
abruptly; then rose and began to dress herself.

Human blades of a fine temper meet a sudden and terrific onslaught of
Nature in one of two spirits: utter cowardice, or an attitude of
impersonal curiosity. It is not a matter of heroism but of nerves. The
bravest may become abject, if their will has been weakened by some drain
on the nervous system; others, that would run from a mouse or prove
unequal to the long-heralded danger, rise, in the intense concentrated
excitement and surprise of the moment, to a state of absolute and even
cynical indifference. One of the unwritten laws that has descended from
father to son in California is that an earthquake, no matter how severe,
is a mere joke, and should incite prompt and facetious comment. Isabel
being both heroic and hardy, paid the California tradition the tribute
of a smile and a shrug, and regretted that she had not been in San
Francisco; she "liked being in the midst of things." Sentiment,
psychology, egoism, had literally been bounced out of her. She knew that
Gwynne might easily have been killed, but although she intended to find
out in the least possible time, to feel merely human in the face of such
a stupendous exhibition of what nature could do when she chose, was a
descent of which she, at least, felt herself incapable.

She hurried on her riding-clothes, dropped her braid under her jacket,
and ran down the stairs. Chuma, trim and spotless, was sweeping the
hall, white with fallen plaster. He gave her his usual good-morning grin
and went on with his work. She paused and regarded him curiously.

"What do you think of our earthquakes?" she demanded.

"Oh, very big shake," he said, cheerfully. "Very big shake."

Vaguely nettled she took her hat from the rack and went out by the back
way. Mac had knocked on her door immediately after the earthquake, and
was now with Abe in the colony on the hills. He came running down when
he saw her, and it was patent that his rheumatism, for once, was
forgotten. His old red face with its prominent bones set in thick sandy
gray hair was more animated than Isabel had ever seen it.

"Glory be!" he exclaimed, as he reached her. "That was about the worst!
I was just tellin' Abe that I felt the great earthquake of '68 in this
very house, in that very room, by gum, although I was up and dressed,
for it was eight o'clock, and I'd gone back for my pipe. So, I know what
I'm talkin' about, Miss Isab