or the next hour or so she alternates between fits
of exaltation, during which she looks forward to going out, and moments
of despondency, when a sense of foreboding falls upon her. At dinner
she persuades some other woman to go with her; the other woman, once
persuaded, is enthusiastic about going, until she recollects that she
cannot. The first woman, however, convinces her that she can.

"Yes," replies the second woman, "but then, how about you, dear? You are
forgetting the Joneses."

"So I was," answers the first woman, completely non-plussed. "How very
awkward, and I can't go on Wednesday. I shall have to leave it till
Thursday, now."

"But _I_ can't go Thursday," says the second woman.

"Well, you go without me, dear," says the first woman, in the tone of
one who is sacrificing a life's ambition.

"Oh no, dear, I should not think of it," nobly exclaims the second
woman. "We will wait and go together, Friday!"

"I'll tell you what we'll do," says the first woman. "We will start
early" (this is an inspiration), "and be back before the Joneses
arrive."

They agree to sleep together; there is a lurking suspicion in both their
minds that this may be their last sleep on earth. They retire early with
a can of hot water. At intervals, during the night, one overhears them
splashing water, and talking.

They come down very late for breakfast, and both very cross. Each seems
to have argued herself into the belief that she has been lured into this
piece of nonsense, against her better judgment, by the persistent folly
of the other one. During the meal each one asks the other, every five
minutes, if she is quite ready. Each one, it appears, has only her hat
to put on. They talk about the weather, and wonder what it is going to
do. They wish it would make up its mind, one way or the other. They are
very bitter on weather that cannot make up its mind. After breakfast it
still looks cloudy, and they decide to abandon the scheme altogether.
The first woman then remembers that it is absolutely necessary for her,
at all events, to go.

"But there is no need for you to come, dear," she says.

Up to that point the second woman was evidently not sure whether she
wished to go or whether she didn't. Now she knows.

"Oh yes, I'll come," she says, "then it will be over!"

"I am sure you don't want to go," urges the first woman, "and I shall be
quicker by myself. I am ready to start now."

The second woman bridles.

"_I_ s