with Americans, and find it completely a part of their everyday
life.

But I must tell you more about the Miss Murgatroyds--Amelia, Eliza, and
Susannah. When quite at peace among themselves, which is not often, they
are Milly, Lizzie, and Susie; but a little rift within the lute is marked
by the immediate use of their full baptismal names. Poor Susannah being
the youngest--the youthful side of sixty--and inclined to be kittenish
and giddy, is very rarely "Susie." Miss Murgatroyd--Amelia--is stern and
unbending. She wears a cameo brooch the size of a tablespoon, and lays
down the law in precise and elegant English, even when asking Susie to
pass the crumpets. Miss Eliza, the second sister, is meek and
unoffending. Her attitude toward Miss Amelia is one of perpetual apology.
She addresses Susie as "my dear love," excepting on occasions when
Susie's behaviour has put her quite outside the pale. Then she calls her,
"my _dear_ Susannah!" and sighs. I am inclined to think Miss Eliza
suffers from a demonstrative nature, which has never had an outlet.

But Susie is the lively one. Susie would be a flirt, if she dared, and if
any man were bold enough to flirt with her under Miss Amelia's eye. Susie
is barely fifty-five, and her elder sisters regard her as a mere child,
and are very ready with reproof and correction. Susie has a pink and
white complexion, a soft fat little face, and plump dimpled hands; and
Susie is given to vanity. Jim Airth held open the door of the coffee-room
for her one day, and Susie--I should say Susannah--has been in a flutter
ever since. Poor naughty Susie! Miss Murgatroyd has changed her place at
meals--they have a table in the centre of the room--and made her sit with
her back to Jim Airth; who has a round table, all to himself, in the
window.

Now I must tell you about Jim Airth, and of a curious coincidence
connected with him, which you must not repeat to the doctor, for fear he
should move me on.

Let me confess at once, that I am extremely interested in Jim Airth--and
it is sweet and generous of me to admit it, for Jim Airth is not in the
least interested in me! He rarely vouchsafes me a word or a glance. He is
a bear, and a savage; but such a fine good-looking bear; and such a
splendid and interesting savage! He is quite the tallest man I ever saw;
with immense limbs, lean and big-boned; yet moves with the supple grace
of an Indian. He was through that campaign last year, and had a terrible
tu