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Shelldrake in the kitchen. At breakfast we were joined by Hollins, who made no excuse for his easy morning habits; nor was one expected. I may as well tell you now, though, that his natural instincts never led him to work. After a week, when a second crop of weeds was coming on, Mallory fell off also, and thenceforth Shelldrake and myself had the entire charge of the garden.
The end was, we were all satisfied. "'Now for our first meal in Arcadia! was the next cry. Mrs. Shelldrake, like a prudent housekeeper, marched off to the kitchen, where Perkins had already kindled a fire. We looked in at the door, but thought it best to allow her undisputed sway in such a narrow realm.
"The supplies consisted mostly of flour, potatoes, and sugar. There was a vegetable-garden in good condition, Mr. Shelldrake said, which would be our principal dependence. "'Besides, the clams! I exclaimed unthinkingly. "'Oh, yes! said Eunice, 'we can have chowder-parties: that will be delightful! "'Clams! chowder! oh, worse than flesh! groaned Abel.
Shelldrake, rocking violently in her chair, gave utterance to that peculiar clucking 'ts, ts, ts, ts, whereby certain women express emotions too deep for words. "Abel, roused by Hollins's question, answered, with a sudden energy, "'Love! there is no love in the world. Where will you find it? Tell me, and I'll go there. Love! I'd like to see it!
The Arcadian plan had worked tolerably well, on the whole, for there was very little for any one to do, Mrs. Shelldrake and Perkins Brown excepted. Our conversation, however, lacked spirit and variety. We were, perhaps unconsciously, a little tired of hearing and assenting to the same sentiments.
"What happened after our departure I learned from Perkins, on the return of the Shelldrakes to Norridgeport, in September. Mrs. Shelldrake stoutly persisted in refusing to make Hollins's bed, or to wash his shirts. Her brain was dull, to be sure; but she was therefore all the more stubborn in her resentment.
"'Gosh! that's it! interrupted Perkins, jumping up; then, recollecting himself, he sank down on the steps again, and shook with a suppressed 'Ho! ho! ho! "Hollins, however, drew himself up with an exasperated air. "'Shelldrake, said he, 'I pity you. I always knew your ignorance, but I thought you honest in your human character. I never suspected you of envy and malice.
"'Now, are you sure you can bear the test? we heard Hollins ask, as we approached. "'Bear it? Why, to be sure! replied Shelldrake; 'if I couldn't bear it, or if you couldn't, your theory's done for. Try! I can stand it as long as you can. "'Well, then, said Hollins, 'I think you are a very ordinary man.
"'Oh, he may fall into the water! exclaimed Eunice, in alarm. "'He's not fool enough to do that, said Shelldrake. 'His head is a little light, that's all. The air will cool him down presently. "But she arose and followed him, not satisfied with this assurance. Miss Ringtop sat rigidly still. She would have received with composure the news of his drowning.
"But I cannot well go to Melton," said Lady Joan. "I don't see why you can't. Mrs Shelldrake goes with her husband to Melton, and so does Lady Di with Barham; and a very pleasant life it is." "Well, at any rate we cannot go to Melton now," said Lady Joan mortified; "and it is impossible for me to go to the Moors." "No, but I could go," said Mr Mountchesney, "and leave you here.
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