The days that followed were very dull.
It was hard to get back into the way of
working. I was glad when Jessica came
home to set up our little establishment and
to join in the autumn gayeties. Brainard
brought his wife to the city soon after, and
went to housekeeping in an odd sort of a
way.

"I couldn't see anything in the place save
curios," Jessica reported, after her first call
on them. "I suppose there is a cooking-
stove somewhere, and maybe even a pantry
with pots in it. But all I saw was Alaska
totems and Navajo blankets. They have
as many skins around on the floor and
couches as would have satisfied an ancient
Briton. And everybody was calling there.
You know Mr. Brainard runs to curios in
selecting his friends as well as his furniture.
The parlors were full this afternoon of ab-
normal people, that is to say, with folks one
reads about. I was the only one there who
hadn't done something. I guess it's be-
cause I am too healthy."

"How did Mrs. Brainard like such a
motley crew?"