a circumstance so trivial should linger in one's mind. How
truly has it been said that the vagaries of the human imagination are
past divining.

* * * * *

APRIL THE SEVENTEENTH.--Shortly after three P. M. of this day, following
the dismissal of my class in astronomy, I accidentally stepped into the
gymnasium hall. I cannot account for so doing, unless it be upon the
ground that my thoughts still dwelt upon those heavenly bodies with
whose wonders I had for hours been concerned to the exclusion of all
other considerations of whatsoever nature. In this state of
absent-mindedness I discovered myself standing outside the door of the
large room devoted to the physical exercises. My hand, obeying a
mechanical impulse, turned the knob; pausing upon the threshold I beheld
the spectacle of Miss Hamm, directing a group of our juniors in
dumb-bell manipulation, all present--instructor and students
alike--being costumed in the prescribed uniform of loose blouses and
those garments technically known, I believe, as bloomers.

The sight of so many young persons, their faces intent, their minds
engrossed with each succeeding evolution of gesticulation, their bodies
swaying in unison, was an agreeable one. Entirely in a subconscious way
I observed that Miss Hamm's hair was not plaited up and confined to the
head with ribands, pins or other appliances in vogue among her sex, but
depended in loose and luxuriant masses about her face; I remarked its
colour--a chestnut brown--and a tendency upon its part to form into
ringlets when unconfined, the resultant effect being somewhat
attractive. At the moment of my entrance her side face was presented to
me; a piquant and comely profile I should term it, without professing in
the least to have judgment in such matters.

Presently discovering that an intruder had appeared upon the scene, she
paused in her work of directing her class and, turning toward me,
inquired whether there was anything I desired. Having no excuse to
account for my presence, I stated that I had mistaken the door and,
briefly begging her pardon for having interrupted her, I withdrew. Later
I found myself striving with a vague and unaccountable desire to return
and witness more of the dumb-bell evolutions.

* * * * *

APRIL THE EIGHTEENTH.--A strange lassitude besets me. I first discerned
it this forenoon soon after the burden of the school day was taken up.