The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-08-09
A Chapter Of Philosophy.

Edith introduced US al the garden
party. but she was unquestionably .n-
teresting. We ran through art and
music and drama in half an hour. Th.
we came to philosophy.
There is such a difference" soil
she. between practice and theory"
l conceded the point. She was -
charming, In fact. that Wis led II had
been larger point to con :ede. But
ventured TO remark. that doesn't
make the theory wrong"
She leaned her cheek thoughtfuly
upon one gloved finger: possibly 10 dis
play the smallness OF her hand: bos-
sibly because the pose sultsd her;
\ probably for both reasons.
| when you say that the regeneration
| or the universe can only be accom-
| plished by white men marrying black
women"----
And black men white women"
mo, thank you" She shrugged her
shoulders. "Well. as a ma &c OF fact.
You do not care anything about the
regeneration Of the universe"
II don't believe 1 do" 1 laughed
Nor contemplate marrying a ne
gress yourself?"
unfortunately. my personal taste
blonde" Edith had remembered tn :,
with her usual discretion.
IF i were black, you would say you
preferred ebony to ivory"
raised my hands i'm protest. II as
sure YOU" / averred solemnly, II pre-
fer You az you are"
but you haven't seen me any--other
chow"
Il am clear that Improvement is i'm
possible"
She laughed a delightfully."- saucy
laugh.
What a stock I'm trade of compli- 4
ments you keep, I can unders and why
your cousin described you as a tonic 4
FOR diffident young person--like meI'
There is not / declared, another
Ike you, so far az my experience goes"
You are putting me i'm a glow OF
satisfaction with myself. Please go
on There ought TO be one or two nice
points remaining I'm me-"
4 regarded her with calm scrutiny.
"An appearance of impudence becomes
YOU" 7 said, "but'----
"But?"
so do all appearances.
Pray don't think that you have ex-
hausted my appearances" She sank |
back in another attitude. why, |
you've barely known me an hour
An hour" j said feelngly, "of ex- |
quisite quality.v
'An hour" she suggested. (which !
should have rightfully been Devoted 10
a black woman" She looked as II she
would like To add something, but re-
Trained
You were going to say"----
Poor black womanl" Her eyes
sparkled wickedly. Il don't mean it,"
she FASTENED To add
According tod my thciry," I ex-
planned. you should have been delight
ing the eyes and ears OF some dusky
and--er"--
Poor black mani" / never saw such
4 girl To laugh.
ION the contrary, if you were likely
10 adopt my theory. j should paiR my
self black"
But you wouldn't be 50 black as you
we're painted"
The theory" / observed, doesn't
'ay black ALI -through."
The theory is nonsense; all theories
ire"
Surely, out of 80 many theories one
n two must be right--if only by acci-
lent"
She leaned her head back against the
hair. and considered Don't you
hink.' she asked. with sudden grav-
ty' the folly is in such unstable be-
ngs as we having theories at all? We
ay down all sorts Of grand principles.
ma when the time for action comes
vhy, OF course. we break them" She
ighed: doubtless to the memory OF
ONE departed theory.
Still, ! said. there is no harm I'm
aging them down-fOr others," she 4
miled again.
For Jones, and Brown. and smm
black woman apiece" she cliel.
tapping her hands; FOR the author of
he theory
Blonde" / interrupted. blue eyes
nd fiaxen hair; preferably attlred i'm
ale blue with pink roses
stop. syop. I'll assume thai you've
aid me all possible compliments Let
$ get down to che bed rock of serious I
"Umph, One SO rarely gets there I
oubt IL | have any serious conversa-
on You are not a missionary i'm dis
uise, are you?'
She didn't answer for a minute 1t
as curious 10 watch her face chang.
om merrimcnt, through thought. To {
'riousness. First the laughter died =
radualiy I'm her eyes; chen the little
iris and turns went out OF her lips:
zen the dimples In the cheeks smooth
themselves out like ripples widening
to nothlngness on the sea: then she
ted up her head, little on one side.
ld looked at me with solemn child
'es =
sometimes. >" she said sadly. Il wish -
were. Sometimes L wish mission
y would come tb me. | get tired of
aking fun OF things. and think that
rhaps they are serious after all"
twirled my mustache. and felt my
IN smile fading out. They are ssri-
IS enough" | said. "if YOU look nj
eln in that way. IL isn't a good way -
look at things things i'm general -
think" -
But one looks sometimes" she said
sently, 'at things i'm particular. and
lis very. very serious"
Then | said. leaning forward. "one
esn't talk about them much There
rarely any one to whom one cares t.
TX about them"