“Mr. Hamilton would have got on better without straps and with thicker boots,” observed Baron Z—.
“It is of no consequence, for to-day we have scarcely any ascent, if I remember right,” answered his wife.
“I ought to have equipped him,” cried Baron Z—, laughing. “How do you think he would look?”
“As he is considerably taller than you are—there would be at least half a yard of leg uncovered.”
“The dress is certainly very becoming,” observed Hamilton, “but I cannot imagine it particularly comfortable.”
“If you had to climb, you would find it as comfortable as becoming,” answered Baron Z—; “and that it is judicious admits of no doubt; all mountaineers have something similar; and you may be sure the dress was originally adopted for its convenience. It is unquestionably advantageous, having the knees uncovered in ascending and descending mountains.”
“And the monstrous shoes”—begun Hamilton——
“Give a steadier footing and preserve the feet from the pointed stones or rocks.”
“I remember,” said A. Z., “the first time I ascended an alp, I wore thin shoes and open-work silk stockings; I came home nearly barefoot, of course, and with quite a new idea of an alp.”
“Oh, pray do give me some idea of one,” cried Hamilton; “I—I must confess I have none whatever; for when people talk of alps, I cannot help thinking of the Alps.”