10. CHAPTER X.
For three whole days you thus may rest
From office business, news, and strife.
— Pope.
When the summer heats set in, Meredith, one evening,
drove to Morton's house, and, arrayed in linen and grass-cloth,
smoked his cigar under his friend's veranda with as
much contentment as the thermometer at ninety would permit.
The window at his side was that of the room which
Morton used as his study, and the table was covered with
books.
“Colonel,” said Meredith, “what a painstaking fellow you
are! Ever since you left college — except when you were off
on that journey, which was one of the most rational things
you ever did in your life — you have been digging here
among your books, as if you were some half-starved law student,
with a prospect of matrimony.”
“I've done digging for the present. It's against my principles
to work much in July and August.”
“What do you mean to do?”
“Set out on a journey.”
“I suppose so. You are a lucky fellow.”
“Give yourself a vacation, and come with me.”
“No, I'm in for it for the next two months; but I will
have my revenge before long.”
“Three days from your office will never ruin you or your
family. Come with me to New Baden, if you can't do better.”
“I think I can manage that, — and I will.”
Accordingly, on Monday morning, they took the train
thitherward.
