The Argosy — page 49: what you’re looking at

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

36 My Saturdays. of which I am more ignorant than another, it is archeology ; and as to whether a particular temple—of which about six stones are re- maining—was dedicated to Aphrodite or Eros, I cannot induce myself to care in the least. I could see that the writing was ex- tremely good, but the chapter on ‘ Antiquities” seemed to me too long to form an item in any book not dedicated to Methuselah. I had prepared a grand coup for Saturday. A little way above my lawn was an islet in the river, belonging to old Mr. Merton, always a great ally of mine. Nothing grew upon it but willows, and it was only used as a centre for punt-fishing. I fixed my strategic eye upon it as a point of vantage, and the kind owner gave me leave to do whatever I liked with it all the summer. ‘There was an open, grassy bank at one side; there I had a wooden step fixed to make the landing easy, and a few rugs thrown about on which to sit. On the top of the island I had the willows cleared away, and a small tent pitched, with seats round it. Here I established one of my maids with strawberries and cream, which were then just coming in. As they were not to be had upon the mainland, an excellent reason was at once established for any amount of punting and boating, and constant movement was kept up, while I* held in my hands a tremendous. power of pairing and separating my guests at pleasure. The plan was crowned with success, and it realised my fondest expectations when Archibald pronounced it a really original idea. An old family friend of mine, Dr. Lucraft, happened to be passing through London at the time, and I secured him for my party, not because I expected to profit by his society, but in order that he should talk to the Professor. The latter appeared with his wife, in fair average spirits; but I could see that the needle of his barometer stood delicately poised at Change. The two men had much in common, and I talked to them together, until they were fairly started on old Continental churches. Then I looked after Rhoda. She was diligently talking to Mrs. Minton, but I could see the flush of suppressed excitement on her cheeks, matching the June rose which she wore in the same white dress ; and I knew that the MS. was waiting its time in her pocket. Archibald was hanging about, throwing bread to the minnows. I requested Mr. Merton to do the honours of his island and my straw- berries to Mrs. Minton, and then sent Archibald in one of the pleasure-boats with Rhoda. I was not surprised to see that he rowed for some distance up the river, instead of landing; but I was a little provoked that—between the row and the strawberries—he detained Rhoda for fully three- quarters of anhour. The Professor and Dr. Lucraft sauntered up to me, and then the latter plunged into inquiries after my sisters and cousins and aunts. I had to give him my attention, and enjoyed the familiar gossip; but I was not quite easy about the Professor. I do conmicboolks.c@