change of climate. Now, you know, as she
had originally gone to them with a letter
from me, and as I live out here, on the
borders of the Southern desert, in a climate
that has no equal, they naturally thought of
writing to me about it. And of course I
said I'd be delighted to have her here, for a
month, or a year, or whatever time it may
be. She will be a pleasure to me, and a
friend for Miriam, and she may find a husband
somewhere up or down the coast, who
will give her a fortune, and think all the
better of her because she, like him, had the
ability and the pluck to make her own way
in the world."

"Humph! When do you expect her?"

"She may turn up any day. She is
coming round by way of the Isthmus.
From what I hear, she is really a very fine,
clever girl. She held a responsible position
in the shop, and----"

"Well, let us sink the shop, and get back
to the rational and instructive conversation
that we--or, to be more accurate, that I was
engaged in when this digression began. I
presume you are aware that all the indications
are lacustrine?"