Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/48

 and an outer suit of much the same style as that I had on, but of finer material and richer coloring. "Here is the bath," he next said, leading to where a low partition cut off about a third of the apartment.

The bath did not greatly differ, either in size or shape, from those now in use, except that the glass of which it, with all its fittings and accessories, was composed, imparted an aspect of most inviting purity. He turned on the water, pointed out the rose of the shower-bath, promising to return in twenty minutes.

"We consider twenty minutes as amply sufficient for a man's toilet, including bath, rubbing dry, and putting on the simple costume we wear."

Braced and invigorated by the bath, I hastened to don the simple evening suit. While doing so, I could not but appreciate the good sense that had adopted a costume so rational. Both comfortable and elegant, it required little more than two minutes for its putting on, instead of the weary and sometimes exasperating time demanded for the due assumption of our tasteless garb, the joint invention of brainless idlers, and their well-matched purveyors.

I soon became aware of a want. Was there no mirror? I looked round me. The room was of moderate size, had polished floor and walls, high ceiling, and a door-window opening on the upper veranda. It was furnished with severe simplicity. A silken hammock suspended in one corner, a chair, a small table, and a large wardrobe of ualin, comprised the entire list of movables. Evidently a place for sleep only. Next I perceived a door. Passing through it, I found myself in what was evidently the sitting-room, or study, to which the bedroom was an append-