We stayed in New York over ten days. In that time we seemed to have
known the Lewises ten years. In the last three days I had some new
views, however, and puzzled myself over manners which were apparently
contradictory.
Lulu had told me in the morning that her husband was going to
Philadelphia, and wouldn't be back for two days. I asked her if she were
not going with him. She said, no,--that she wouldn't encounter the dust
of those Jersey wagons again; and then described, with much vivacity,
the method of transportation which was soon after succeeded by the
present railroad.
"There were a hundred horses, at least," said she, "to drag us.
Magnificent creatures, too. But nothing pays for having one's mouth and
eyes full of grit."
As she spoke, Mr. Lewis passed by the door, and looked at her. She went
to him at once, put up her lips to be kissed, and I heard his loving
good-bye, as they went along the entry to the top of the stairway.
When she came back to my room, which was half an hour after, she was
dressed to go out, in a new hat and pelisse of green silk, with a plume
of the same. With her bright color, it was very becoming to her.
"I have just got these home. William just hates me in green, but I would
have them. They make one think of fern-leaves and the deep woods, don't
they?" said she, standing before the mirror with childish admiration of
her own dress.
She turned slowly round, and faced me.
"Now I suppose you would dress up in a blue bag, if your husband liked
to see you in it?"