mind."

"Now what I propose is this," said Corona: "I understand that the stay in
this camp will continue for about a week longer, and I earnestly urge upon
you that for this time we shall each one of us assert our individuality.
Let us be what we are, show ourselves what we are, and let each other see
what we are."

"It would not be safe nor pleasant to allow everybody to do that," said
Mr. Archibald. He was more interested in Miss Raybold's present discourse
than he had been in any other he had heard her deliver.

"Of course," said she, "it would not do to propose such a thing to the
criminal classes or to people of evil inclinations, but I have carefully
considered the whole subject as it relates to us, and I think we are a
party singularly well calculated to become the exponent of the
distinctiveness of our several existences."

"That gits me," said Matlack.

"I am afraid," said the speaker, gazing kindly at him, "that I do not
always express myself plainly to the general comprehension, but what I
mean is this: that during the time we stay here, let each one of us do
exactly what he or she wants to do, without considering other people at
all, except, of course, that we must not do anything which would interfere
with any of the others doing what they please. For instance--and I assure
you I have thought over this matter in all its details--if any of us were
inclined to swear or behave disorderly, which I am sure could not be the
case, he or she would not do so because he or she would feel that, being
responsible to himself or herself, that responsibility would prevent him
or her from doing that which would interfere with the pleasure or comfort
of his or her associates."

"I think," said Mrs. Archibald, somewhat severely, "that our duty to our
fellow-beings is far more important than our selfish consideration of
ourselves."

"But reflect," cried Corona, "how much consideration we give to our
fellow-beings, and how little to ourselves as ourselves, each one. Can we
not, for the sake of knowing ourselves and honoring ourselves, give
ourselves to ourselves for a little while? The rest of our lives may then
be given to others and the world."

"I hardly believe," said Mr. Archibald, "that all of us clearly understand
your meaning, but it seems to me that you would like each one of us to
become, for a time, a hermit. I do not know of any other class of persons
who so thoroughly assert their individuality."

"Yo