The Londoners."

Otago Witness, Issue 2317, 28 July 1898, Page 61

The Londoners."

JIOBERT HICIIONS IN A FRIVOLOUS VTIS. On the title page of his story, " The Londoners," iusfc published by Mi- Heineinann.

Mr Hichens assures us (says the Academy) that it is "an -absurdity"; and as it is the business of an absurdity to be absurd, we have no right to complain that it is a farce and not a comely. Yet there is so much excellent comedy, especially in the first 50 pages, that we cannot help feeling a touch of annoyance when tho author lands us into rough-and-tumble farce, and invites us to laugh because a footman, v. ho is an ill-disguised detective, drops aspic into the duchess's corsage. The story may be described as a sort of inverted " Charley's Aunt " ; for Chloe Van Adam, being .in American divorcee — though innocent,— ,ir_d wanting to t>et into London Gociely, nM<squeradir.>j as her own husband, while M-ix Verulam, her Iriend, wanting to get out of society, determines to compromiso herself with tho supposed Mr Van Adam. For Mr James Bush has inspired her with a longing foi a peaceful country life. Bete ici an oiainule of Mr Hichens's frivolous vein. Mir. Veruhuu is talking to Chloo, who is in bod. Marrmet, tho well-informed maid, is reading her f.oeLet "Schopenhauer": — Chloo plunged on her pillows so as to get a cleat er view of her friend's face, on which she fixed her spaikling, boyish eyes with a merciless scrutiny.

" Ah," sho said, " now tell mo all about him. Who is he? What is heY Where is he? "

Mrs Vorulam clasped Chloe's hand on the quilt softly. " Chloo," sho said, " ho is a man 1" " I gathered that. Very fow women are called James."

" That's not enough. It is not a christening that makes a man ; it is life." The faithful Mairmer looked up from her pocket " Schopenhauer " with respectful appreciation of this reasoned truth. "Well, then, what life does he lead?" cried Chloo.

" A life of wholesome labour, of silent communion with Ihe earth— -a life devoid of frivolity and devoted to meditation and sheep and bees and things of that kind."

The conclusion was a little vague, but the intention to praise was obvious, and Chloe was deeply interested.

" Meditation, sheep, bees," she repeated ; "isn't all that what is called small culture?"

" Oh, indeed, (here is nothing small about James Bush ! " exclaimed Mrs Verulam. "Oh, no 1 Ho is immense, powerful, calm 1 He is my idea of Agag I "

The faithful Marriner again glanced up. The word " Anak " trembled upon her wellinformed lips, but respect for her mistress held her mum. Only a slight, rustle betrayed She thrill of deep learning that ran through her.

" Really," said Chloe. "Go on, dear."

" 1 met James Bush in tho country at a time when I Wis just beginning fully to feel th« emptiness of society." " Emptiness ( Oh, how can you I" " I romejWibttr our drat meeting so well," Mi's Vemlam continued, with a soft rapture of romance. '" Do came towards me with his head in a sort of meat safe, holding in his strong hands Ihu lid of a saucopan, upon which he beat with » wooden spoon with all his might and main."

Ohloft sat up m bed and gasped. " But tvhy -why was be dressed so?" &he tiskod. "To protect him in his duties."

" What duties — among tho sheep?" "No: oh, no! He was swarming bees. Ah, how beautifully he swarms I If only these London creaiuics who call themselves men could see him I"

" 1 didn't know on© person could swarm alone befoie. Go on, dear. Did he raise Lis meat safe to you?"

" No. He took no notice of me at all, except to tell me lo get. out, of the way. That struck mo directly. It was so different from what v London man would do."

" I should say so. Gracious 1 "

" It was only afterwards that we talked and that I learned what v man's life can aiu should bo." Sh« glowed tenderly, and Chloe's suspicious were confirmed. She shuffled on the sheet towards her friend, and whispered in her right ear :

" Daisy, you're in love with Mr Bush I"