Moths by Ouida — page 20: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

ue MOTHS. and you shall swim; that will certainly help you better than your Greek and your conic sessions, whatever they may be: they sound like something about magistrates. Perhaps they have taught you law as well?” ‘¢ May I swim here?” asked Vere. ‘Of course; it’s the thing to do. Can you dive?” ‘Oh, yes! Iam used to the water.” . ‘‘Very well, then. But wait; you can’t have any bathing- ress?” ve I brought it. Would you wish to see it? Kee ziah——”’ Keziah was bidden to seek for and bring out the bathing-dress, and after a little delay did so. | Lady Dolly looked. Gradually an expression of horror, such as is depicted on the faces of those who are supposed to see chosts, spread itself over her countenance and seemed to change it to stone. ‘That thing!” she gasped. What she saw was the long indigo-colored linen gown—high to the throat and down to the feet—of the uneducated British bather, whose mind has not been opened by the sweetness and light of continental shores. ‘That thing!” gasped Lady Dolly. ‘¢ What is the matter with it?” said Vere, timidly and perplexed. ‘‘Matter? It is indecent!” ‘‘ Indecent?” Vere colored all over the white rose-leaf beauty of her face. | ‘¢ Indecent,” reiterated Lady Dolly. ‘‘ If it isn’t worse! Good gracious! It must have been worn at the deluge. The very chil- dren would stone you! Of course I knew you couldn’t have any decent dress. You shall have one like mine made to-morrow, and then you can kick about as you like. Blue and white, or blue and pink. _ Youshallsee mine.” She rang, and sent one of her maids for one of her bathing cos- tumes, which were many and of all hues. Vere looked at the brilliant object when it arrived, puzzled and troubled by it. Shecould not understand it. It appeared to be cut off at the shoulders and the knees. ‘¢ Tt is like what the circus-riders wear;” she said, with a deep breath. | ‘‘Well, it is, now you name it,” said Lady Dolly, amused. ‘¢ You shall have one to-morrow.”’ Vere’s face crimsoned. : ‘* But what covers one’s legs and arms?” ‘* Nothing! what a little silly you are! I suppose you have nothing the matter with them, have you? no ak or twist, or anything? I don’t remember any when you were little. You were thought an extraordinarily well made baby.” Might one then go naked provided only one had no mark or twist? Vere wondered, and wondered at the world into which she sos aR ee di would never wear a costume like that,” she said, quietl after a little pause, | Big to Gom (€ ,00 qe €O