mind it was an extraordinary improvement, but as an example of the
ignorance of the lower classes in the matter of taste, our servant,
Sarah, on seeing them, evinced no sign of pleasure, but merely said
"she thought they looked very well as they was before."

April 26.--Got some more red enamel paint (red, to my mind, being
the best colour), and painted the coal-scuttle, and the backs of
our Shakspeare, the binding of which had almost worn out.

April 27.--Painted the bath red, and was delighted with the result.
Sorry to say Carrie was not, in fact we had a few words about it.
She said I ought to have consulted her, and she had never heard of
such a thing as a bath being painted red. I replied: "It's merely
a matter of taste."

Fortunately, further argument on the subject was stopped by a voice
saying, "May I come in?" It was only Cummings, who said, "Your
maid opened the door, and asked me to excuse her showing me in, as
she was wringing out some socks." I was delighted to see him, and
suggested we should have a game of whist with a dummy, and by way
of merriment said: "You can be the dummy." Cummings (I thought
rather ill-naturedly) replied: "Funny as usual." He said he
couldn't stop, he only called to leave me the Bicycle News, as he
had done with it.

Another ring at the bell; it was Gowing, who said he "must
apologise for coming so often, and that one of these days we must
come round to HIM." I said: "A very extraordinary thing has
struck me." "Something funny, as usual," said Cummings. "Yes," I
replied; "I think even you will say so this time. It's concerning