PETER CRISP’S SPECTACLES.
PETER CRISP had something the matter with his eyes; he needed spectacles to help him see. But this was no uncommon misfortune: hundreds of people who do ten good hours’ work every day, use spectacles, and cannot get along without them. No; the trouble in Peter’s case was not in having to wear spectacles, but in the particular kind of spectacles that he wore. They seemed to have the strange quality of undergoing a change of color at certain times; so that everything seen through them underwent a corresponding change.
At one time they took on a dark color—almost black. And, as this made everything look dark and gloomy, he was made to feel accordingly.
“I could iron these collars better myself,” he exclaimed one morning as he was dressing, after putting on these glasses. And a few moments later: “Not a single pin in this cushion, as usual!” And presently again: “Who has taken away my comb and brush?” though both of these useful articles were lying within his reach, and just where he himself had left them.