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XVI] work of the fingers. A Man's severe thinking, plus the shaking-off a cigar-ash, comes to the same total as a Woman's trivial fancies, plus the most elaborate embroidery. That's your sentiment, isn't it, only better expressed?"

Arthur looked into the radiant, mischievous face, with a grave and very tender smile. "Yes," he said resignedly: "that is my sentiment, exactly."

"Rest of body, and activity of mind," I put in. "Some writer tells us that is the acme of human happiness."

"Plenty of bodily rest, at any rate!" Lady Muriel replied, glancing at the three recumbent figures around her. "But what you call activity of mind"

"is the privilege of young Physicians only," said the Earl. "We old men have no claim to be active! What can an old man do but die?"

"A good many other things, I should hope," Arthur said earnestly.

"Well, maybe. Still you have the advantage of me in many ways, dear boy! Not only that your day is dawning while mine is