THE WOMAN BOTANIST. 96 



serenely proceeded to do, but was shortly met 

 by the repentant though sulky driver, who, how- 

 ever much he might desire to bring her up in 

 the way in which he thought she ought to go, 

 doubtless had compunctions of shame about 

 having strangers see his only mother walking 

 along the dusty road like a common tramp, 

 she not in the least appearing to care. 



The social doings of her own sex lose some- 

 thing of their attractiveness to the woman who 

 botanizes. An afternoon reception is on her 

 tablet for the day, and if she has a new gown 

 she dons it, feeling its strangeness, perhaps 

 conscious that she is an object of observation. 

 Or, having nothing new in her wardrobe, she 

 spends valuable time in looking discontentedly 

 over the old apparel, finally selecting something 

 that "came out of the ark." 



She attends the social function : is probably 

 invited to partake of food for which she has 

 no need; talks on topics in which she has not 

 the slightest interest (but so "safe!") to per- 

 sons who in no way attract her, and comes 

 away, hoping to goodness_ that she has not 

 said anything which will hurt any one's feel- 

 ings. 



Perhaps 'her companions indulge in post^ 

 prandial ridicule of the hostess or guests — it 

 is horrible, the liberty some persons give 



