Newport daily independent., 1902-05-21
ceivable concession be a philosopher., :

' dependent of the domestic emotions; it--'
 ''Then you are not married?' she interrupted, softly.
 ''Marriedi" exclaimed the Philoso- pher aghast. Should I be a philoso- pher if l were? Marriage is quite de- structive of philosophy"
 There was lady called Kan tippe'-she ventured timidly
 The Philosopher was little taken aback.
 "I beg you pardon?" he said. "Socrates-he was married, you know.' --...,
 ''So he was,' observed the Philoso- pher, thoughtfulIy. His wife may be considered to have furnished the supreme test of his philosophy" he added, in a brigh4er tone.
 ''Oh, I'm afraid you're missy missy missy" She stopped per plexed. I've forgotten the word. A person who hates women''
 "Misogynist?" suggested the Phil. osopher.
 ''Thank you Yes, that's the word. Are you one of those dreadful peo- ple?"
 "A philosopher hates nothing. Not even women," he replied, indulgently.
 And you prefer your horrid phil osophy toto women?' she demand ed with warmth.
 'In philosophy" was his passion | in women-'' He paused, refecting that the conclusion of the sentence might bear an interpretation person. ally ungratifying to his fair compan- ion. She ruthlessly seized on the implication of the unfinished phrase.
 You mean that all women are falsel'' she said, dropping his hand.
 'I should have satisfied myself with more negative distinction" he answered. ''Pray be careful. There is curbstone there-'
 She stumbled again, then stopped and confronted him nervously,
 "This is awful" she exclaimed. And there doesn't seem to be hanson anywhere!" She looked round vaguely at the encircling white wall How shall get home? Shall I ever get home at all?"
 What does it matter whether you get home or not?" asked the Philoso- pher, calmly.
 Matter? Good gracious! What do you mean?"
 ''The limitations of place are quite arbitrary. One P;ace is in reality as good as another. To a philosopher all places are 'home'-and, for the matter of that, you can, if you wish it, by judicious exercise of the fac ulty of imagination imagine your self at home now"
 q cannot imagine anything so silly!" she retorted, petulantly.
 The Philosopher sighed.
 Have you any idea where we are?" she demanded, shivering.
 T cannot clearly define our pre- else position" he replied, "but I con- ceive that we are proceeding in the direction of Chelsea"
 "Oh, but I don't want to go to Chel- seal" she cried in alarm. T want to | | do?" she added, clasping her hands,
 The Philosopher found himself mo- mentarily embarrassed. As far as his own personal inclinations were concerned, it was a circumstance of equal indifference whether he went | to Chelsea or Belgravia. But his companions distress was evident, | ha 4aI himself her protector. He felt, there fore, that he must consult her preju- dices in the matter of a destination.
 "You must be ;sware," he said, gent ly, that no cab driver would take you dozen yards in this fog. Listen to the sounds around you! They resolve themselves into one vast uni versal inquiry In Piccadilly Circus buses and cabs were locked together, midstreet, in an inextricable wedge of helpless interrogation. Here wherever we are, it is little better The more venturesome of the bus drivers are leading their horses. One slipped past us just now. l heard the grate of the wheel on the edge of the pavement If we were still in the region of shops, we might step in and investigate our locality. As it is-''
 Look, look!" she interrupted "Call him, quick!"
 There was a sudden flare of torch in front of them and out of the dark ness a link boy dashed swiftly past
 The Philosopher plunged toward him.
 'Lucifer-Bearer of Light-stop!"