Page 138 - erewhon

nostrum, but I could catch little of its nature. I heard the
words ‘full confidence that the desire to drink will cease
when the formula has been repeated * * * this confidence is
EVERYTHING * * * far from undervaluing a thorough de-
termination never to touch spirits again * * * fail too often
* * * formula a CERTAIN CURE (with great emphasis) * * *
prescribed form * * * full conviction.’ The conversation then
became more audible, and was carried on at considerable
length. I should perplex myself and the reader by endeav-
ouring to follow the ingenious perversity of all they said;
enough, that in the course of time the visit came to an end,
and Mahaina took her leave receiving affectionate embrac-
es from all the ladies. I had remained in the background
after the first ceremony of introduction, for I did not like
the looks of Mahaina, and the conversation displeased me.
When she left the room I had some consolation in the re-
marks called forth by her departure.
At first they fell to praising her very demurely. She was
all this that and the other, till I disliked her more and more
at every word, and inquired how it was that the straight-
eners had not been able to cure her as they had cured Mr.
Nosnibor.
There was a shade of significance on Mrs. Nosnibor’s
face as I said this, which seemed to imply that she did not
consider Mahaina’s case to be quite one for a straightener.
It flashed across me that perhaps the poor woman did not
drink at all. I knew that I ought not to have inquired, but
I could not help it, and asked point blank whether she did
or not.

1