"I slept very soundly, and I am sleepy still. The mere fact of getting up in the morning makes life a failure. Until I have had my bath I am always a pessimist."
She sat up drowsily, running her hands through her hair. Then she turned to her tea, which was placed on a table beside her.
"There are your violets also," remarked Miss Ramsey, pointing to a couple of florist's boxes; and, as an afterthought, she added: "Men are odd creatures."
Mariana laughed.
"Oh, they imagine that they are laying up treasures on earth," she answered, stirring her tea. "And they have overlooked the fact that moths corrupt. I shall advise them to transfer their attentions to Heaven. Who was it that called me 'unpropitious'?"
"I don't like it," said Miss Ramsey. "I may be old-fashioned, but I don't approve of married men living as if they had no responsibilities."
"Nor do I," agreed Mariana. "It bores one awfully."
"And it makes people say unkind things of you, my dear. It is so hard for them to draw the distinction between imprudence and infamy."
"Yes," admitted Mariana, pushing her cup aside. "I suppose it is—and I suppose I am imprudent."
"I wish you would try to be a little more careful."