A DAY OF PUNISHMENT 



HE day began badly ; I got out 

 of bed with my wrong leg fore- 

 most, and shortly afterwards 

 knocked my funny-bone against the wash- 

 stand ; I dawdled over my dressing, and 

 on entering the kitchen was severely taken 

 to task by Mary for my lie-a-bed ways, and 

 bidden be quick and make up for lost time : 

 but her chiding was all to no purpose, 

 for I was possessed by the very devil of 

 deliberateness that morning. I leisurely 

 seated myself at the table, and lavishly 

 buttered the bread I ate with my slice of 

 cold ham, regardless of Mary's housewifely 

 feelings : then I sipped the milk and water 

 in my mug and gave an audible shudder. 



"Well, what's the matter now?" said 

 Mary, bustling about the kitchen with all 

 the offensive activity of an early riser. 

 139 



