The Argosy — page 333: what you’re looking at

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

314 Letters from Majorca. looked down and seemed surprised to find that Englishmen were possessed of feet just as much as the people of other tongues and nations. No, not quite so much; at any rate, amongst the privi- leged. H.C. and I pride ourselves with justice upon the perfection of our feet and ankles. A clumsy foot in a man is bad; ina woman it is simply revolting. | But this is a digression, though as we are on the matter of feet, perhaps we may be allowed for a moment to wander from our subject, and run off at a tangent. Revenons 4 nos moutons. ‘There was very much more of the elephant than the sheep in our travelling companions. ‘The interior is made to hold six, but most mercifully no one else volunteered as a passenger. A. and B., of course, saw us off, or as A. put it with great unction: ‘‘ Came to see the last of us.” A.’s eyes gleamed wickedly as they took in the quartette of the interior. ‘‘ Don’t be making love to the lady with the umbrella,” he cried maliciously to H. C. ‘ Breach of promises are very common in Palma, and in this instance damages would be heavy.” H. C. ground his teeth as he felt that he was deserting the camp and leaving the field to the enemy, but he made no other answer. Then the door was slammed by the coachman, who mounted to his seat, and the ponderous, surcharged vehicle moved off. Farewell to Soller. And how sorry we were to leave it. Another week here could have been spent with the greatest pleasure and profit. Revelling in the old town, its wonderfully ancient appear- ance, here and there bordering upon the ruinous; its narrow streets, with overhanging eaves, and strongly-marked lights and shadows. Wandering amidst the orange groves, almost overpowered by their delicious scent, and made so welcome to the golden fruits by their owners. Becoming more familiar with the beautiful little port, and paddling our own canoe—or someone else’s—as we became acquainted with the outlines and aspect of the surrounding coast. But on these occasions Time throws off his leaden feet and spreads his wings, and the end comes before we are aware of it, and we find that a great deal that we meant to do has to be placed to the account of Good Intentions. It was a long and most uncomfortable journey in that diligence. I never wish to enter another. ‘The ladies, fortunately, were not much trouble. She of the basket fell fast asleep, and passed the hours in a sweet oblivion denied to us. She of the umbrella evidently be- came enamoured of H. C., made languishing eyes at him, wreathed her very round and rosy countenance in seductive smiles, adjusted her shawl more coquettishly, and when she found all this of no avail, this deceitful Delilah took off her shawl and put on a scarf. But it was all of no use, and I thought H.C. in his rage would have seized her umbrella and administered a castigation. ‘Then she, ‘too, fell asleep, and we were left to peace, though not to repose. CORNIECLIOOKS. Com