154 
WALDEN. 
possibly hear each other's voice in any case. Referred 
to this standard, speech is for the convenience of those 
who are hard of hearing; but there are many fine 
things which we cannot say if we have to shout. As 
the conversation began to assume a loftier and grander 
tone, we gradually shoved our chairs farther apart till 
they touched the wall in opposite corners, and then 
commonly there was not room enough. 
My “ best" room, however, my withdrawing room, al¬ 
ways ready for company, on whose carpet the sun rare¬ 
ly fell, was the pine wood behind my house. Thither in 
summer days, when distinguished guests came, I took 
them, and a priceless domestic swept the floor and 
dusted the furniture and kept the things in order. 
If one guest came he sometimes partook of my frugal 
meal, and it was no interruption to conversation to be 
stirring a hasty-pudding, or watching the rising and ma¬ 
turing of a loaf of bread in the ashes, in the mean while. 
But if twenty came and sat in my house there was 
nothing said about dinner, though there might be bread 
enough for two, more than if eating were a forsaken 
habit; but we naturally practised abstinence; and this 
was never felt to be an offence against hospitality, but 
the most proper and considerate course. The waste 
and decay of physical life, which so often needs repair, 
seemed miraculously retarded in such a case, and the 
vital vigor stood its ground. I could entertain thus a 
thousand as well as twenty; and if any ever went away 
disappointed or hungry from my house when they found 
me at home, they may depend upon it that I sympa¬ 
thized with them at least. So easy is it, though many 
housekeepers doubt it, to establish new and better cus¬ 
toms in the place of the old. You need not rest your 
