nditions； delighting in a glare and tumult of busy life under hostile heavens which； elsewhere； would mean shivering ill…content。 The theatre； at such a time； is doubly warm and bright； every shop is a happy harbour of refuge……there； behind the counter； stand persons quite at their ease； ready to chat as they serve you； the supper bars make tempting display under their many gas…jets； the public houses are full of people who all have money to spend。 Then clangs out the piano…organ……and what could be cheerier！
I have much ado to believe that I really felt so。 But then； if life had not somehow made itself tolerable to me； how should I have lived through those many years？ Human creatures have a marvellous power of adapting themselves to necessity。 Were I； even now； thrown back into squalid London； with no choice but to abide and work there…… should I not abide and work？ Notwithstanding thoughts of the chemist's shop； I suppose I should。
VI
One of the shining moments of my day is that when； having returned a little weary from an afternoon walk； I exchange boots for slippers； out…of…doors coat for easy； familiar； shabby jacket； and； in my deep； soft…elbowed chair； await the tea…tray。 Perhaps it is while drinking tea that I most of all enjoy the sense of leisure。 In days gone by； I could but gulp down the refreshment； hurried； often harassed； by the thought of the work I had before me； often I was quite insensible of the aroma； the flavour； of what I drank。