"I have no such belief, I assure you. Yesterday was bad enough,
but to-day promises to be worse. I was going to make up a boating
party, but what can one do when the water is overhead instead of
under the keel?"

"Scores of things," was the cheery reply. "I'm going to have a
good time."

"I'm going to sleep," said Ida, passing on.

"Miss Burton," said Stanton, joining her at the foot of the stairs,
"I perceive, even from your manner of descending to our lower world,
that you are destined to vanquish the dullness of this rainy day.
Don't you wish an ally?"

"Would you be an ally, Mr. Stanton, if you saw I was destined to
be vanquished?"

"Of course I would."

"Look in the parlor then. There are at least a dozen ladies
already vanquished. They are oppressed by the foul-fiend, 'ennui.'
Transfer your chivalric offer to them and deliver them."

"Stanton," laughed Van Berg, "you are in honor bound to devote
yourself to those oppressed ladies."

"The prospect is so dark and depressing that I shall at least cheer
myself first with the light of a cigar."