A JOURNEY TO NATURE 



crest. I cannot quite think that their flickering 

 flame would survive the contact with Nature in 

 this mood. But, mayhap, it would be the other 

 way, and blow only the fetid and morbid fancies 

 out of them. As I am not equal to the psychic 

 problem, I might as well dismiss it. 



This thought was, however, an odd premonition ; 

 for when we reached Gabe Hotchkiss s big porch, 

 a glowing group, there was the new guest walking 

 up and down on the sheltered side in a light fall 

 overcoat, with the collar turned up. He appeared 

 fragile, pale, and pinched. He wore a little crush 

 hat and a monocle, and the hat was pulled down 

 over his head to keep the wind from blowing it 

 away. His hands were thrust deep in the side 

 pockets of his coat to keep them warm. He was 

 obviously blue with the largeness and atmospheric 

 looseness of the place. He recalled in an instant 

 the geniuses I had been gloating over. I said to 

 myself, with prompt resentment . &amp;lt;r What wind, I 

 wonder, blew him hither. He must have the 

 consumption. I ll take him round on the windy 

 side of the porch and buttonhole him there ; that 

 will finish him.&quot; 



After we had exchanged preliminaries, and he 

 had handed me the Doctor s letter, we looked 

 each other in the face and became absurdly 

 sententious. 



&quot; Heart disease ? &quot; he inquired. 



&quot; Yes ; and you - 



&quot; Hyperasmia of the brain. I thought this was 

 a water cureo&quot; 



252 



