The Bathing Season 



minutes just where the surge bursts, and he will 

 understand what it means. Men go out to the length 

 of their ropes past and outside the line of the 

 breakers, or they swim still farther out and ride at 

 ease where the wave, however large, merely lifts them 

 pleasantly as it rolls under. But the smashing force 

 of the wave is where it curls and breaks, and it is 

 there that the ladies wait for it. It is these breakers 

 in a gale that tear to pieces and destroy the best-built 

 ships once they touch the shore, scattering their 

 timbers as the wind scatters leaves. The courage 

 and the endurance women must possess to face a 

 groundswell like this ! 



All the year they live in luxury and ease, and are 

 shielded from everything that could hurt. A bruise 

 a lady to receive a bruise ; it is not be to thought of I 

 If a ruffian struck a lady in Hyde Park the world 

 would rise from its armchair in a fury of indignation. 

 These waves and pebbles bruise them as they list. 

 They do not even flinch. There must, then, be a 

 natural power of endurance in them. 



It is unnecessary, and yet I was proud to see it. An 

 English lady could do it; but could any other? 

 unless, indeed, an American of English descent. Still, 

 it is a barbarous thing, for bathing could be easily 

 rendered pleasant. The cruel roller receded, the soft 

 breeze blew, the sunshine sparkled, the gleaming 

 foam rushed up and gently rocked her. The Infanta 

 Cleopatra lifted her arm gleaming wet with spray, 

 and extended it indolently; the sun had only given 

 her a more seductive loveliness. How much more 

 enjoyable the sea and breeze and sunshine when one 

 is gazing at something so beautiful. That arm, 

 rounded and soft 



" Excuse me, sir, but your immortal soul " a hand 

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