Evening journal., 1899-10-02
Practical Philosophy
<~~<>>s-

I DIDN'T catch her name when Cousin
Edith introduced us at the garden
party, but she was unquestionably in
teresting. We ran through art and mu-
sic and drama in half an hour. Then
we came to philosophy.
"rhere is such n difference" said she,
between practice and theory"
conceded the point She was so
charming, in fact, that wished Il had
been a larger point TO concede. "But,"
1 ventured TO remark, that doesn't
make the theory wrong"
She leaned her cheek thoughtfully
upon one gloved finger, possibly to dis
play the smallness of her hand, possibly
because the pose suited her, probably
for both reasons.
"When you say that the regeneration
of the universe can only be accom-
plished by white men marrying black
women"
"And black men, white women"
"No, thank youl" She shrugged her
shoulders. "Well, as matter OF fsct,
you do not care anything about the
regeneration OF the unlverse?"
II don't believe / do" laughed.
'Nor contemplate marrying negress
yourself?"
Unfortunately my personal taste
lies so strongly in the direction Of the
blonde" Edith had remembered this,
/ with her usual discretion.
"If 1 were black you would say you
preferred ebony to ivory
l raised my hands in protest. II ns'
sure YOU" averred, solennly, Il pre-
fer you as you are"
"But you haven't seen me any-other
how"
81 am clear that improvement is inn
possible"
She laughed delightfully."- saucy
laugh.
"What a stock in trade Of compli-
ments you keep. I can understand
why your cousin described you as O
tonic for a diffident young person-like
me-"
"There is not" declared, another
like you so far as my experience goes
'You are putting me in a glow OF
satisfaction with myself. Please go on
There ought to be one or two nice
points remaining in me-"
regarded her with calm scrutiny
San appearance of impudence becomes
you" said, ''but-"
"But?"
so do all Appearances
"Pray don't think that you have eX
hausted my appearances" She sanl
back in another attitude. "Why
you've barely known me an hour!"
"An hour" l said, feelingly, "of ex
quisite quality"
"An hour" she suggested, "whicl
, should rightfully have been devoted q
5 black woman" She looked as II sh
would like to add something, but re
Trained
5 ''You were going TO say"
r Poor black womanl" Her eye
? sparkled wickedly. 81 don't mean H.,
2 she FASTENED to add.
According to my theory" / eS
D planned, "you should have been delight
ing the eyes and ears Of some dusk
I. gentleman, and-er-"
5 Poor black mani" Inever saw sue
G a girl TO laugh.
"On the contrary. II you were
adopt my theory / should paint mysel
T black"
y "But you wouldn't be so black as yo
were painted"
p "Stop, stop! I'll assume that you's
paid me all possible compliments. L'
= us get down to the bedrock Of seriou
conversation"
"Umphl One so rarely gets thei
= that l doubt II / have any serious cor
vcrsation. You are not a missionar
In disguise, are yoa?"
l. She didn't answer for a minute.
I was curious to watch her face chang
a from merriment, through thought,
r seriousness. First. the laughter die
r gradually in ner eyes; then the lit
1. curls and turns went out of her lip
], then the dimples in the cheeks smoot
P, ed themselves out like ripples widenir
y into nothingness on the sea; then 81
d lifted up her head, little on one sid
It and looked at me with solemn chill
n eyes.
E. Sometimes" she said, sadly, q vii