CONTENTS
　　PROEMIntroducingSomeofHermione’sFriendsSincerityintheHomeVibrationsAren’ttheRussiansWonderful？
　　HowSufferingPurifiesOne!
　　UnderstandingandOne’sOwnHomeThoughtsofHeredityandThingsTheSwamiBrandranathFothergilFinch，thePoetofRevoltHowtheSwamiHappenedtoHaveSevenWivesTheRomanticOldDaysHermione’sBoswellExplainsSymbolsandDew—HoppingTheSongoftheSnoreBalladsofUnderstandingHermioneonFashionsandWarUrgesandDogsMoodsandPoppiesConcentrationSoulMatesHermioneTakesupLiteratureTheWorldIsGettingBetterWarandArtASpiritualDialogueWilltheBestPeopleReceivetheSupermanSocially？
　　TheParasiteWomanMustGo!
　　TheHouseBeautifulMammaIsSoMid—VictorianVokeEaselyandHisNewArtHermioneonSuperficialityIsis，theAstrologistTheSimpleHomeFestivalsCitronellaandStegomyiaHermione’sSalonOpens（Verse）
　　ThePerfumeFactoryOnBeingOther—WorldlyParents，andTheirInfluenceFothergilFinchTellofHisRevoltAgainstOrganizedSocietyTheExoticandtheUnemployedSoulsandToesKulturandThingsTheSpiritofChristmasPoorDearMammaandFothergilFinchPrisonReformandPoiseAnExampleofPsychicPowerSomeBeautifulThoughtsTheBourgeoisElementandBackgroundTakingUptheLiquorProblemTheJapaneseareWonderful，IfYouGetWhatIMeanSheRefusestoGiveUPtheCosmosTheCaveManTheLittleGroupGivesaPaganMasqueSympathyBlouses，Bulgars，andButtermilkTwilightSleepIntuitionStimulatingInfluencesPoliticsHermioneonPsychicalResearchEnvoyHermionetheDeathlessHERMIONE
　　PROEM
　　（IntroducingsomeofHermione’sFriends）
　　Ivisitedonenight，oflate，ThoughtsUnderworld，theBrainstormSlum，ThelandofFutilePiffledom；
　　AsalonweirdwherecongregateFreak，NutandBugandPsychicBum。
　　There，there，theysitandcerebrate：
　　ThefervidPotewhoneverpotes，GreatArtists，MaleorShe，thatTalkButscornthePigmentandthechalk，AndCubistsculptorswildasGoats，TheosophistsandSwamis，too，MusiciansmadasHattersbe——
　　（E’enpuzzledHatters，twoorthree!）
　　Tameanarchists，adrearycrew，SquibSocialiststoodamptososh，FakeHobohemianssteepedinsuds，GlibfemalesinArtisticDudsWithCaptiveHusbandscowedandgauche。
　　IsawsomeSoulMatessidebysideWhosaidtheircuteyoungSoulswerepink；
　　IsawaGeniusontheBrink（Orsohesaid）ofsuicide。
　　IsawaPlaywrightwhohadtriedButcouldn’tmakethePublicthink；
　　Isawanovelistwhocried，ReadinghisownStuff，inhisdrink；
　　Isawavapidegg—eyedGinkWhosaideighttimes："Artismybride!"
　　AqueeninsandalsslammedthePansAndscreamedaChinesechantatus，thewhileaHippopotamusShooktables，book—shelvesanddivansWithvastTerpsichoreanfuss……
　　SomeOrientalkindofmuss……
　　Arat—facedIdiotBoywhoslimesWhitepapero’erwithmetriccrimes——
　　HeisakindofBurblingBlearWhowarblesSexSlushsadtohearAndmocksGodinhisstolenrhymesandwearsarubyinoneear——
　　Murdertome："MyGoldenSoulDrinksSongfromoutaCrystalBowl……
　　DrinksLoveandSong……myGoldenSoul!"
　　Ilethimlive。Therewerenobricks。
　　OrevennowthatGoldenSoulweretreadingwaterintheStyx。
　　APallidSkirt——AnemicWisp，Asbloodlessasastickofchalk——
　　Gotbusywiththislineoftalk：
　　"TheSinnerisMisunderstood!
　　HowcantheSpiritenterin，Beblendedwith，theTrulyGoodUnlessthroughSympathywithSin？"
　　"Phryne，"Imurmured，sadandlow，"IpasstheBuck——Idonotknow!"
　　UponamantelsataBust……
　　SomeHindugod，pug—facedandsquat；
　　Avisagetoinspiredisgust……
　　LordBilk，theDeityofRot……
　　Nay，surely，’twasthegreatgodBunk，ForwhenIwunkatit，itwunk!
　　Iheard……IhearditprovedthatnightThatFireisCold，andBlackisWhite，ThatJunkisArt，andArtisJunk，ThatVirtue’swrong，andViceisright，ThatDeathisLife，andLifeisDeath，ThatBreathisRocks，andRocksareBreath：——
　　TheCheapandeasyparadoxTheFoodsprings，hopingthatitshocks……
　　Brain—sickIstumbledtothestreetAnddrooledontoakindlyCop：
　　"Sincemoonshavefeathersontheirfeet，Whyisyourheadgearperchedontop？
　　AndifyouscorntheCommonplace，WhywearaNoseuponyourFace？
　　AndsincePythagorasismuteonSexHygieneandCosmicLaw，IsyourBlondeBeastasBlandaBrute，AsBlindaBrute，asBernardShaw？
　　Nodoubt，whendrillingthroughtheparks，WithIbsen’sGhostandOldDocMarx，You’veoftenseentwoGoldenSoulsDrinkSudsandSobsfromCrystalBowls？"
　　"Iain’t，"hesays，"Iain’t，OldKid，AndIwouldpinch’emifIdid!"
　　"ThankGod，"Isaid，"forthis，atleast：
　　Theworld，inspots，iswellpoliced!"
　　SINCERITYINTHEHOME
　　SINCERITYshouldbethekeynoteofalife，don’tyouthink？
　　Sincerity——beauty——use——thesearemywatchwords。
　　Iheardsuchaninterestingtalkonsinceritytheotherevening。IbelongtoaLittleGroupofSeriousThinkerswhoaretakingupsincerityinallitsphasesthisweek。
　　WediscussedSincerityintheHome。
　　Somanypeople’shomes，youknow，donotrepresentanythingpersonal。
　　TheSINCEREhomeshouldbefullofpurposeandpersonality——decorations，rugs，ornaments，hangingsandall，youknow。
　　Thehomeshowsthesoul。
　　SoI’mdoingoverourhousefromtoptobottom，puttingpersonalityintoit。
　　I’vearoomIcalltheAncestor’sRoom。
　　Youknow，whenonehasancestors，one’sancestraltraditionskeeponeuptothemark，somehow。
　　YouknowwhatImean——bloodwilltell，andallthat。
　　Ancestorshelponetobesincere。
　　SoI’vefinishedmyAncestors’Roomwithallsortsofthingstoremindmeofthedeardead—and—gonepeopleIgetmytraditionsfrom。
　　Heirloomsandportraitsandthings，youknow。
　　Ofcourse，allourownfamilyheirloomsweredestroyedinafireyearsago。
　　SoIhadtogototheantiqueshopsfortheportraitsandfurnitureandchairsandsnuffboxesandswordsandfireironsandthings。
　　Iboughttheloveliestoldspinet——truly，afine!
　　IcansitdowntoitandimageIammyowngrandmother’sgrandmother，youknow。
　　Andit’swonderfultositamongthoseoldheir—
　　loomsandfeelthesenseofmyancestors’
　　personalitiesthrobbingandpulsingallaboutme!
　　Ifeel，whenIsitatthespinet，thatmypersonalityistrulyrepresentedbymysurroundingsatlast。
　　IfeelthatIhaveatlastachievedsincerityinthemidstofmytraditions。
　　Andthere’sapictureoftheloveliestoldlady……
　　oldfashionedcostume，youknow，andallthat……
　　andthehairdressedinaverypeculiarway……
　　MammasaysitsaMADE—UPpicture——notreallyanantiqueatall——butIcanjustfeelthepersonalityvibratingfromit。
　　Igotitatabargain，too。
　　Icallher——thepicture，youknow——afteranancestressofminewhocametothiscountryintheoldColonialdays。
　　WithWilliamtheConqueror，youknow——ormaybeitwasWilliamPenn。Butitcouldn’thavebeenWilliamPenn，couldit？ForshewenttoNewJersey——Orange，N。J。WasitWilliamofOrange？
　　Morethanlikely……
　　Anyhow，Icallthepictureafterher——LadyClarissa，Icallit。Shemarriedacommoner，assomanyoftheearlysettlersofthiscountrydid。
　　WhenIsitatthespinetandlookatLadyClarissaIoftenwonderwhatpeopledowithoutfamilytraditions。
　　AnditssuchacomforttoknowI’minaroomthatreallyrepresentsmypersonality。
　　VIBRATIONS
　　HaveyouthoughtmuchaboutVibrations？
　　We’retakingthemupthisweek——aLittleGroupofAdvancedThinkersIbelongto，youknow——andthey’rewonderfullyworthwhile——WONDERFULLYso!
　　That’swhatIalwaysaskmyself——isathingWORTHWHILE？Orisn’tit？
　　Vibrationsarethekeytoeverything。Atomsusedtobe，butAtomshavequitegoneout。
　　Thethingthatmakesthenewdancessowonder—
　　fullybeneficial，youknow，isthattheygiveyouVibrations。
　　Toanuntrainedmind，ofcourse，Vibrationswouldbedangerous。
　　ButIalwaysfeelthattherightsortofmindwillgetgoodoutofeverything，andthewrongsortwillgetharm。
　　Themostinterestingwomantalkedtoustheothernight——toourlittlegroup，youknow——onone—
　　piecebathingsuitsandtheGreekspirit。
　　Don’tyoujustdoneontheGreeks？
　　TheyhavesomeofthemostMODERNideas——itseemswegetalotofouradvancedthoughtfromthem，ifyougetwhatImean。
　　TheyweresoUNRESTRICTED，too。Onehasonlytolookattheirfriezesandvasesandthingstorealizethat。
　　Andtheone—piecebathingsuit，sothewomansaid，wasanunconsciousmodernefforttogetbacktotheGreekspirit。
　　Shehadahusbandwithher。Hedoeslectureoranything，youknow。
　　Butsheisn’tsoveryGreek—lookingherself，al—
　　thoughherspiritissoGreek，soshehasthisGreek—
　　lookinghusbandtowearthesandalsandthetunicsandthetogasandthings。
　　ShecallshimAchilles。
　　It’squiteproper，youknow——Achillesstaysbe—
　　hindascreenuntilshewantstoillustrateapoint，andthenhecomesoutwithalyreoraluteorsomething，andjuststandsthereandLOOKSGreek。Andthenhegoesbackbehindthescreenandchangesintothenextgarmentsheneeds。
　　Ofcourse，therearelotsofmencouldn’tstanditaswellasAchilles。Butwhenyoucometothat，therearelotsofmenwhodon’tlooksoverywellinbathingsuits，either。
　　And，ofcourse，ourAmericanmendon’thavethetemperamenttocarryoffathinglikethat。
　　Ofcourse，ifweallturnedGreekitwouldbequiteashockatfirsttoseeeverybodycomeintoadining—roomoradrawing—roomlookinglikeAchillesdoes。
　　Notthattemperamentmakessomuchdifferenceasitdidafewyearsago，youknow——temperamentandpersonalityaregoingoutandindividualityiscomingin。
　　Haveyouthoughtmuchaboutautomaticwriting？
　　It’sbeingtakenupagain，youknow。
　　Notthevulgar，old—fashionedkindofspiritualism——thatwassoordinary，wasn’tit？
　　Thenewghostsaredifferent。More——more——
　　well，moreREFINED，somehow，youknow。Likethenewdancesascomparedwiththathorridturkeytrot。
　　Oneshouldalwaysaskone’sself："Doesthishavearefininginfluenceonme；andthroughmeontheworld？"
　　For，afterall，thereisadutyoneowestosocietyingeneral。
　　Haveyouseenthenewsunshades？
　　AREN’TTHERUSSIANSWONDERFUL？
　　Aren’ttheRussiansmarvelouspeople!
　　We’rebeentakingupDiaghileffinaseriousway——ourlittlegroup，youknow——andreally，he’swonderful!
　　WhoelsebutDiaghileffcouldgivethoselovelyRussiansthingstheproperaccent？
　　Andaccent——ifyouknowwhatImean——accentiseverything!
　　Accent!Accent!Whatwouldartbewithoutaccent？
　　Accentiscomingin——ifyougetwhatImean——
　　andwhattheycall"punch"isgoingout。Ialwaysthoughtitwasafrightfullyvulgarsortofthing，anyhow——punch!
　　ThethingIloveabouttheRussiansistheirOrientalism。
　　Youknowthere’sanoldsayingthatifyoufindaRussianyoucatchaTartar……orsomethinglikethat。
　　I’msurethatiswrong……IgetsoMIXEDonquotations。ButIalwaysknowwhereIcanfindthem，ifyouknowwhatImean。
　　ButtheRussianverveisn’tOriental，isit？
　　Don’tyoujustdoteonverve？
　　That’swhatmakesBakstsofascinating，don’tyouthink？——hisverveThoughtheydosaythattheRussianoperasdon’tanalyzeaswellastheGermanorItalianones——ifyougetwhatImean。
　　Thoughforthatmatter，whoanalyzesthem？
　　Onemaynotknowhowtoanalyzeanoperate，andyetonemayknowwhatonelikes!
　　IsupposetherewillbeafrightfullotofimitationsofRussianmusicandballetnow。Don’tyoujusthateimitators？
　　Onefindsiteverywhere——imitation!It’sthesincerestflattery，theysay。Butthatdoesn’texcuseit，doyouthink？
　　There’sagirl——oneofmyfriends，shesayssheis——whoistryingtoimitateme。Myexpressions，youknow，andthewayIwalkandtalk，andallthatsortofthing。
　　Shegetssomeofmysuperficialmannerisms……
　　butshecan’tquitedomythingsasiftheywereherown，youknow……thereiswheretheaccentcomesinagain!
　　HOWSUFFERINGPURIFIESONE!
　　Oh，togothroughfireandcomeoutpurified!
　　Sufferingiswonderful，isn’tit？SimplyWONDERFUL!
　　Theloveliestmantalkedtoustheothernight——
　　toourLittleGroupofSeriousThinkers，youknow——aboutsocialidealsandsuffering。
　　Thereasonsomanyattemptstoimprovethingsfail，youknow，isbecausethepeoplewhotrythemouthaven’tsufferedpersonally。
　　Hehadtheloveliesteyes，thisman。
　　Hemademethin。Isaidtomyself，"Afterall，haveIsuffered？HaveIbeenpurifiedbyfire？"
　　AndIdecidedthatIhad——thatisspiritually，youknow。
　　Thesuffering——thespiritualsuffering——thatI
　　undergothroughbeingmisunderstoodissomethingFRIGHTFUL!
　　MammadiscourageseveryCauseItakeup。SodoesPapa。
　　Igetnosympathyinmydevotiontomyideals。
　　Onlyopposition!
　　AndfromachildIhavehadsuchahigh—strung，sensitivenervousorganizationthatoppositionofanysorthasmademeill。
　　Therearesometemperamentslikethat。
　　OncewhenIwasquitesmallandMammathreatenedtospankme，Ihadconvulsions。
　　Andnothingbutopposition，opposition，oppositionnow!
　　Onlyweadvancedthinkersknowwhatitistosuffer!Togothroughfireforourideals!
　　Andwhatisphysicalsufferingbythesideofspiritualsuffering？
　　IsooftenthinkofthatwhenIamengagedinsociologicalwork。Onlytheothernight——itwasrainingandchilly，youknow——someofuswentdownintheautotooneofthemissionsandlookedatthesuffererswhowerebeingcaredfor。
　　Andthethoughtcametomeallofasudden：
　　"Yes，physicalsufferingmayberelieved——butwhatistheretorelievespiritualsufferinglikemine？"
　　Though，ofcourse，itimprovesone。
　　Ithinkitisbeginningtoshowinmyeyes。
　　Ilookedatthemfornearlytwohoursinthemirrorlastevening，tryingtobequitecertain。
　　And，youknow，there’sakindoflookinthemthat’sneverbeenthereuntilrecently。Akindofa——a————
　　Well，it’sanINTANGIBLElook，ifyougetwhatImean。
　　NotexactlytheHUNGRYlook，moreofaYEARNINGlook!
　　Thankheaven，though，Icancontrolit——oneshouldalwaysbecaptainofone’ssoul，shouldn’tone？
　　Ihideitattimes。Becauseonemusthideone’ssufferingfromtheworld，mustn’tone？
　　ButatothertimesIletitshow。
　　And，really，withpractice，IthinkIamgoingtomanageitsothatIcanturnitoffandon——ifyougetwhatImean——almostatwill。
　　Because，youknow，incertaincostumesthatlookwillbeQUITEunbecoming。
　　QuiteoutofHarmony。AndInnerBeautyonlycomesthroughInnerHarmony，doesn’tit？
　　Harmony!Harmony!Oh，tobeinaccordwiththeInfinite!
　　NearlyeverynightbeforeIgotobedIaskmyself，"haveIvibratedintunewiththeInfinitetoday，orhaveIfailed？"
　　UNDERSTANDING，ANDONE’SOWNHOME
　　It’sTERRIBLEwhenonecan’tgetunderstandinginone’sownfamily!
　　Papahasverylittlerealsympathyformyadvancedideas。AndasforMamma!
　　SometimesIthinkIshallWRITE!
　　Expressmyself，myrealEgo，inSong。
　　Notrhymes，ofcourse。IfIworkedayearI
　　couldn’tmaketwolinesrhyme。
　　Butrhymeisgoingout，anyhow。
　　VersLibreisalltheragenow。
　　Wetookitupnotlongago——ourLittleGroupofSeriousThinkers，youknow——andIfeelconfidentitisMyMediumofExpression。
　　Itissountrammeled，isn’tit？
　　Andoneshouldbeuntrammeled，bothinArtandLife，shouldn’tone？
　　OftenIaskmyself，atthecloseofday："HaveI
　　beenuntrammeledtoday？OrhaveIFAILED？
　　IfIcouldputmyrealEgo——andhowwonderfultheEgois，isn’tit？——intoverslibre，evenPapamightunderstandme。
　　Ihavealwaysyearnedtobeunderstood!
　　IhavedrawnbackfrommatrimonyagainandagainbecauseIthought："Willheunderstandme？
　　WillheseemyrealEgo？Orwillhenot？"
　　OnlytheothereveningIwastalkingtotheloveliestman，whohasbeenmisunderstoodbyhiswife。
　　ItisFRIGHTFUL!
　　Heisasculptor。Acubistsculptor。Buthelooksquiterespectable——really，someverygoodpeoplereceivehim。
　　Andhehasthemostwonderfuleyes——sympathetic，youknow，andpsychic——butoh!sopure，too!
　　Hedotesonpurity。Hetoldmethat。
　　Hiswifedoesnotunderstandhim。ShedoesnotseehisrealEgo。
　　Hesaidtome："Icanreadyoulikeanopenbook。Youareyearning。Youareyearningforrealunderstanding。NoonehasEVERunderstoodyou。
　　Isthatnotso？Isthatnotyoursecret？
　　Alas!Itwas。Icouldnotdenyit。
　　Isaidtohim："ButisrealunderstandingEVERattainable？"
　　Hesighedandsaid："Alas!TheUnattainable!"
　　Iknewwhyhesighed——thereissomuchofit——
　　theUnattainable!
　　"Whatoneattains，"Isaid，"isoftensointangible——
　　doyounotfinditso？"
　　"Alas!"hesaid，"theIntangible!"
　　AndIfelt，somehow——inaqueerpsychicwaythatiselusive，youknow——strengthenedandsweetenedspirituallybyoursadlittletalk。
　　OurrealEgoshadbeenincommunion。That’swhathesaid。
　　Hehasnineverycommonplacechildren，andhiswifeisverydifficultsocially。
　　Sheinsistsonfillingsomesortofcommercialposition，althoughhesaysherplaceisinthehome。
　　Sotheyhavegrownapart。Peopledon’tinviteherplaces。Onlyhim。
　　Oh!tobeunderstood!
　　THOUGHTSONHEREDITYANDTHINGS
　　Isn’tHereditywonderful，though!
　　We’vebeengoingintoitratherdeeply——
　　MylittleGroupofSerious，youknow。
　　And，really，whenyougetintoit，it’squitecomplicated。
　　AllaboutHomozygotesandHeterozygotes，youknow。
　　TheHomozygotesare——well，youmightcallthemthearistocrats，youknow；thoroughbreds。
　　AndtheHeterozygotesarethehybrids。
　　Only，ofcourse，theydon’tneedtobegoatsatall。
　　NotbutwhattheyCOULDbegoats，youknow，justaseasilyashorsesorcowsorhumanbeings。
　　Butwhethergoatsorhumans，don’tyouthinkthegreatlessonofHeredityisthatBloodwillTell？
　　ReallythefartherIgointoPhilosophyandScienceandsuchthingsthemoreclearlyIseewhatafundoftruththereisintheoldsimpleproverbs!
　　PeopleusedtofindoutgreattruthsbyInstinct，youknow；andnowtheyuseResearch——vaccinateguineapigs，youknow，andallthatsortofthing。
　　Instinct!Isn’tInstinctwonderful!
　　AndIntuition，too!
　　Youknow，Ihavethemostremarkableintuitionattimes!HaveIevertoldyouthatI’mfright—
　　fullypsychic？
　　Mr。Finch，thepoet——youknowFothergilFinch，don’tyou？——hewritesverslibreandpoetryboth——Mr。Finchsaidtometheotherevening，"YouareEXTREMELYpsychic!"
　　"Howdidyouknowit？"Iaskedhim。
　　"Ah!"hesaid，"howDOESoneknowthesethings？"
　　Andhowtruethatis，whenyoucometothinkitover!HowDOESoneknow？
　　Hehasthegreatmagneticeyes!Icouldfeelthemdrawingmythoughtsfrommeaswetalked。
　　"Youhaveasecret，"hesaid。
　　"Yes，"Isaid。AndtomyselfIadded，"Alas!"
　　"Yoursecretis，"hesaid，"thatthereisadifferencebetweenyouandtheothergirls。"
　　Itwaspositivelyuncanny!I’VEfeltthatforyears!Butnooneelsehadeversuspecteditbefore。
　　"Mr。Finch，"Isaid，"ImusthaveTOLDyouthat——
　　orelseitwasjustawildguess。YouCOULDN’Thavegottenitpsychically。HOWdidyouknowit？"
　　"Oneknowsthesethings，"hesaid——atriflesadly，Ithought。"Theycometoone——outoftheSilences；oneknowsnothow。Itisbetternottoaskhow!Itisbetternottoquestion!Itisbettertoaccept!Doyounotfeelitso？
　　SometimesIthinkthatFothergilFinchistheonlymanwhohaseverunderstoodme。
　　Yousee，IamDualinmypersonality。
　　ThereistherealEgo，andthereistheAlterEgo。
　　And，besidesthese，IhavesomanymoodswhichdonotcomefromeitheroneofmyEgos!TheycomefrommySubliminalConsciousness!
　　Isn’ttheSubliminalConsciousnesswonderful；
　　simplyWONDERFUL？
　　We’regoingtotakeitupinaseriouswaysomeeveningnextweek，andthreshitoutthoroughly。
　　ButImustrunalong。Ihaveanengagementwithmydressmakerattwoo’clock。Youknow，I’vereallyfoundonewhocanmakemygownsinterpretmyinnerspirit。
　　THESWAMIBRANDRANATH
　　IHEARDsuchalovelylecturetheothernightontheCosmos。
　　ALittleGroupofAdvancedWomenthatI
　　belongtoarespecializingthiswinterontheCosmos。
　　Wetookitup，youknow，becausetheothertopicswewerestudyingincludeditsofrequently。Andit’swonderful，reallyWONDERFUL!
　　Ofcourse，anuntrainedmindwillgrapplewithitinvain。One’sinterestmustbeseriousandsincere。
　　Onemustdevotetimetoit。，Otherwiseonewillgetmoreharmthangoodoutofit，youknow。
　　It’sliketheRussiandancesthatway。
　　Theyaresoprimal，thosedances!Andallthoseprimalthingsaredangerous，don’tyouthink？
　　Unlessonehaspoise!
　　It’sodd，too，thatsomeofthemostprimalpeoplehavethemostpoise，isn’tit？
　　TheSwamiBrandranathwaslikethat。I’vetoldyoubouttheSwamiBrandramath，haven’tI？
　　Heworesuchlovelyrobes!Youcan’tbuysilklikethatinthiscountry。
　　AndhehadsuchaPURElookinthiseyes。Somanyofthesemagneticpeoplelackthatpurelook，youknow。
　　HeusedtogivetalkstoaLittleGroupofSeriousThinkersIbelongto。
　　HetaughtustogointotheSilences——onlyweneverquitelearned，forsomeofthegirlswouldgiggle。Therearealwayspeoplelikethat。ThedearSwami!——hewassopatient!ItwasOccidentallevity，hesaid，andwecouldn’thelpit。
　　ThatisoneofthemaindifferencesbetweentheOrientandtheOccident，youknow。
　　Howwonderfultheyare，theOrientals。AndjustthinkofIndia，withallitsyogisandbazaarsandmahatmasandhowdahsandrajahsandthings!
　　HewasaBrahmin，theSwamiwas。ABrahminandaBurmanarethesamething，youknow。
　　It’sacaste，likebelongingtooneofourbestfamilies。
　　TheSwamiexplainedaboutthemarksofcaste，andsoforth，tous。
　　Andthenoneofthegirlsaskedhimifhewastattooed!
　　Theidea!
　　FOTHERGILFINCH，THEPOETOFREVOLT
　　Isn’titoddhowsomeofthemostradicalandadvancedandvirileoftheleadersintheNewArtandtheNewThoughtdon’tlookitatall？
　　There’sFothergilFinch，forinstance。NobodycouldbemorevirilethanFothyisinhisSoul。
　　Fothy’sInnerEgo，ifyougetwhatImean，isaGiantinRevoltallthetime。
　　AndyettolookatFothyyouwouldn’tthinkhewasaModernCaveMan。Notthathelookslikeaweakling，youknow。Butwell，ifyougetwhatImean——you’dthinkFothymightwriteaboutvioletsinsteadofthunderbolts。
　　DearPapaisENTIRELYmistakenabouthim。
　　Onlyyesterdaydearpapasaidtome，"Hermione，ifyoudon’tkeepthatdamnedlittleverslibrerunawayfromhereI’llputhimtowork，andhe’lldieofit。"
　　Butyoucouldn’texpectPapatoappreciateFothy。
　　PapaisSOreactionaryandconservative。
　　AndFothy’slifeisonelong，grim，desperatestruggleagainstConventionality，andSocialInjustice，andSmugness，andtheEstablishedOrder，andComplacence。HeisforeverbeingamartyrtotheNewandTrueinArtandLife。
　　Lastnighthereadmehislatestpoem——oneofhisgreatest，hesays——inwhichhetriestotelljustwhathisRealSelfis。Itgoes：
　　Lookatme!
　　Behold，IamfoundingaNewMovement!
　　Observeme……IaminRevolt!
　　Irevolt!
　　Nowpersecuteme，persecuteme，damnyou，persecuteme，curseyou，persecuteme!
　　Philistine，Bourgeois，Slave，Serf，Capitalist，Respectabilitiesthatyouare，Persecuteme!
　　Bah!
　　Youaskme，doyou，whatamIinrevoltagainst？
　　Againstyou，fool，dolt，idiot，againstyou，againsteverything!
　　AgainstHeavy，Hellandpunctuation……againstLife，Death，rhymeandrhythm……
　　Persecuteme，now，persecuteme，curseyou，persecuteme!
　　Slavethatyouare……whatdoMarriage，Tooth—brushes，Nail—files，theDecalogue，Handkerchiefs，Newton’sLawofGravity，Capital，Barbers，Property，Publishers，Courts，RhymingDictionaries，Clothes，Dollars，meantoMe？
　　IamaGiant，IamaTitan，IamaHerculesofLiberty，IamPrometheus，IamtheJessWillardoftheNewCerebralPugilism，IamtheMod—
　　ernCaveMan，IamtheComradeoftheCosmicUrge，IhavekickedofftheBootsofSuperstition，andIrunwildalongtheMilkyWaywithoutingrowingtoenails，IamI!
　　Curseyou，whatareYou？
　　YouareonlyYou!
　　Nothingmore!
　　Ha!
　　Bah!……persecuteme，nowpersecuteme!
　　Fothyalwaysgetsexcitedandtremblesandchokeswhenhereadshisownpoetry，andwhilehewasreadingitPapacameintotheroomanddisgracedhimselfbyaskingiftherewasanyMONEYinthatkindofpoetry，andFothywassoagitatedthathefairlyscreamedwhenhesaid：
　　"Money……money……cursemoney!MoneyisoneofthethingsIaminrevoltagainst……
　　Moneyisdeathanddamnationtothefreespirit!"
　　Papasaidhewassorrytohearthat；hesaidoneofhiscompaniesneededanadwriter，andhedidn’thaveanyobjectiontohiringafreespiritwithapunch，buthecouldn’tconsidergettinganyonetowriteadsthathatedmoney，fortherewasasalaryattachedtothejob。
　　AndFothysaid："Youaretryingtobribeme!
　　Capitalismiscastingitsnetoverme!Youaretryingtomakemeaserf：tryingtosilenceaFreeVoice!ButIwillresist!Iwillnotbeenslaved!
　　Iwillnotwriteads。Iwillnothaveajob。
　　AndthenPapasaidhewasgladtohearFothy’ssentiments。Hehadbeenafraid，hesaid，thatFothyhadmatrimonialdesignsaboutme。AndthemanwhomarriedHISdaughterwouldprobablyhavetostandforpossessingagooddealofwealth，too，forhehadalwaysintendeddoingsomethingveryhandsomeforhisson—in—law。SoifFothydidn’twantmoney，hewouldn’twantme，foranenormousamountofitwouldgotome。
　　Papa，youknow，thinkshecanbeawfullysarcastic。
　　SomanyEarthPersonspridethemselvesontheirsarcasm，don’tyouthink？
　　AndPapaisanEarthPersonentirely。I’vegothishoroscope。Heisn’tATALLspiritual。
　　ButyoucanimagethatthewholescenewasFRIGHTFULLYembarrassingtome——IwillNEVERforgivePapa!
　　AndIhaven’tmadeupmymindATALLaboutFothy。ButwhatIdoknowisthis：onceIgetmymindmadeup，IWILLNOTstandforoppositionformANYsource。
　　OnemustbeanIndividualist，orperish!
　　HOWTHESWAMIHAPPENEDTOHAVESEVENWIVES
　　Isn’titterribleaboutthatelephantattheZoo——Oh，youknow!——it’slikeGungaDin，only，ofcourse，itisn’tGungaDinatall。
　　Anyhow，he’sCHAINEDFORLIFE!Isupposesome—
　　onegavehimtobaccoforajokeanditmadehimcross。I’veheardofthosecases，haven’tyou？
　　Anelephantissucha——sucha——well，NOBLEbeast，isn’the？
　　It’stransmigrationofsoulsmakesthemthatway，perhaps。
　　OhisitaRajah？
　　Anyhow，itsitsontopofanelephant。
　　Wetookuptransmigrationofsoulsonetime——
　　ourlittleGroupofSeriousThinkers，youknow——
　　andit’swonderful；simplyWONDERFUL!
　　ThatwaswhentheSwamiBrandranathusedtotalktous。ThedearSwami!Sucheyes——sopureandyetsomagnetic!——Ihaveneverseeninahumanbeing。
　　Theeyeisthewindowofthesoul，youknow。
　　He’sinjailnow，thepoor，dearSwami。Buthewasn’treallyabigamistatall。Yousee，hehadsevenspiritualplanes。Allofusdo，onlymostofusdon’tknowit。Buthecouldgetfromoneplanetoanotherquiteeasily。
　　Ofcourse，hecouldn’trememberwhathe’ddoneononeplanewhilehewasonthenextoneaboveorbelowit。Andthat’sthewayhehappenedtohavesevenwives——oneforeachspiritualplane。
　　OnlytheCourttookasordidviewofit。Itseemstherewassomethingaboutlifeinsurancemixedupwithit，too。
　　TheOccidentalsaresoapttomissthespiritualsweetnessoftheOriental，don’tyouthink？
　　Weare——allbuttheLeadersofThought，andalittlegroup，hereandthere——socommonplace。
　　Don’tyouLOATHEthecommonplace？
　　Notloathe，really，ofcourse——becausetheharmoniousminddoesnotletitselfbedisturbed。
　　Theharmoniousmindrealizesthatdirtisonlyusefulmatterinthewrongplace，asTennysonsingssosweetlysomewhere。
　　Tennysonhasquitegoneout，ofcourse。Heisso——so，well，ifyougetwhatImean——somid—
　　Victorian，somehow。
　　ItseemsheWASmid—Victorianallthetime，butit’sonlyrecentlythatit’sbeenfoundoutonhim。
　　ThoughIalwayswillthinkof"comeIntotheGarden，Maud，"asoneoftheworld’ssweetestlittleepics。
　　I’mveryindependentthatway，inspiteofthecritics。Afterall，criticismcomesdowntoaquestionofindividualtaste，doesn’tit？Thatis，inthefinalanalysis。
　　Independence!Thatiswhatthisageneeds。
　　NearlyeverynightbeforeIgottobedIsaytomyself：
　　"HaveIbeenindependenttoday？OrhaveIFAILED？"
　　Ibelieveinthoselittlespiritualexaminations，don’tyou？
　　IthelpsonetokeepintunewiththeInfinite，youknow。
　　TheInfinite!Howmuchitcomprises!Andhowlittlewereallyunderstandit!
　　We’regoingtotakeitup，theInfinite，inaseriouswaysoon——ourLittleGroupofAdvancedThinkers，youknow。
　　THEROMANTICOLDDAYS
　　Itmusthavebeenterriblydifficultgettingaroundinthedaysbeforeautomobileswereinvented，orrailroadsoranythinglikethat。
　　Though，ofcourse，itwaswonderfullyromantic，too。
　　Theoldcoachingdays，particularly，wheneverybodyblewonhornsastheydrovefromtowntotown，andtherewerehighwaymenandcavalierswithswordsandallthosepeople，youknow，ridingbythecoaches。
　　Don’tyoujustDOTEonromance？Ido!
　　But，ofcourse，there’snoplaceforitinourhurriedmodernlife，andIsupposeweshouldn’tregretit。
　　ButnowandthenIsighoverit。Likedroppingatear，youknow，inadearoldchestperfumedwithlavenderandoldroses。
　　Ialwayssaythatonecanbeadvancedandinthevanofmodernprogress，andstilldropatear，youknow。
　　Doyouthinkthatallthisstudyofsexhygienemeansthedeathofromance？
　　It’saseriousthought，isn’tit？
　　ButwhatIalwayssayis："WhichofthesethingswilldothemostGOODintheworld？"
　　EspeciallygoodtothePOOR!
　　YouknowhowfrightfullyinterestedIaminthepoor。
　　Imakethatmytest。Ialwayssaytomyself：
　　"Whichwilldothemostgoodtothegreatmasses？"
　　ItakesuchaseriousinterestintheMASSES!
　　Weshouldthinktwicebeforewetakeromanceoutoftheirlivesandreplaceitwithscienceofanykind。
　　For，afterall，youknow，theyrepresenttheFuture。
　　WeshouldallthinkoftheFuture。
　　That’swhatmakestheFeministMovementsuchaWONDERFULthing——itismovingrightstraightaheadtowardtheFuture!
　　I’mthinkingofbeingaSuffragistagain。Iwasonce，youknow，butIresigned。
　　Thesashesandbannersaresuchafrightfulshadeofyellow，youknow。SoIquit。
　　Beauty，afterall，isthechiefthing。What，afterall，doallourreformscometo，iftheworldisnottobemademorebeautifulbecauseofthem？
　　AndIsimplyCANNOTwearyellow。
　　HERMIONE’SBOSWELLEXPLAINS
　　Believeme，’tisnotwithelationIdwellonHermione’smadness；
　　TheresultofmyraptcontemplationIssadness，aterriblesadness!
　　IweepwhenInotehowshedrivels；
　　Isigho’erherfakephilanthropies；
　　IampainedwhenIseehowshefrivols，Likeakitten，withserioustopics。
　　ItisgriefthathermentalconditionInspires，notlaughterorscorning；
　　Ifshehasanyuse，’tilherMissionTostandasaHorribleWarning。
　　Iammoral，essentiallymoral；
　　Iamgrave，andhateeverythingtrashy，AndthatisthereasonIquarrelWithintellectsflightyandflashy。
　　Iyearnforthetruth，Iamearnest；
　　Iyearntofacefactswithoutblinking，Ofallofmyyears，quitetheyearnestIsmyyearntobethoroughinthinking。
　　That’swhyI’mseverewiththisdarling，Norpardonnorwhitewashnorglossher，——
　　Thelinnet——theparrot——thestarling!
　　Iweepoverherandexposeher。
　　SYMBOLSANDDEW—HOPPING
　　LastweektheLoveliestmanlecturedtous——
　　toourLittleGroupofSeriousThinkers，youknow——ontheUltimateSymbolism。Inartandlifeboth，youknow。
　　Itwassimplywonderful——WONDERFUL!
　　Art，youknow，usedtobefullofsymbolism。
　　Butnow，itseems，symbolismhasdroppedoutofArt，andNaturehastakenitup。
　　Odd，isn’tit？Butreallynotsurprisingwhenyoucometothinkaboutit。
　　For，youknow，Natureisalwaystryingtokeepupwithadvancedideas——evolvingandevolvingtowardtheSuperman。
　　AndtheSuperwoman，too。
　　IthinkitisthedutyofuswhoareadvancedthinkerstogiveNatureaworthyideatoevolvetoward，don’tyou？
　　TosetNatureamarktocomeupto，youknow。
　　Forwhatistheuseofevolutionifitdoesn’tevolveforwardinsteadofbackward？
　　AndtheBestPeople，Ithink，shouldfeelasenseofsocialresponsibilityandgiveevolutionamodel。
　　EachshouldbeaSymbol——that’swhatIalwaysaskmyselfeachnightnow："HaveIbeenaSymboltoday？OrhaveIfailedtobeasymbol？"
　　DownatthebeachlastweekInearlydrowned——
　　youdon’tmeantosayyouhaven’theardofit？Itwasfrightful。
　　I’dalwaysheardthat，whenapersonsinks，hiswholepastlifepassesbeforehiminreview。
　　Butitdidn’twithme。WhatIsaidasIwentdownwas："HaveIbeenaSymbol？OrhaveI
　　failed？"
　　Andthelifeguardwhogotmeout——hewassimplythemostgorgeousman!——burnedbronze，youknow，andwithshoulderslikeaGreekgod!——andwiththemostwonderfuleyesandwhiteteeth——heaskedme，theguarddid，"What，marm？"
　　Itwasfearfullydisappointing!Sometimestheyarecollegemen，youknow，justlife—guardingthroughthesummer。Butwouldanycollegemanhavesaid，"What，marm？"
　　AndthenhewentandsavedablondecreatureinthemostscandalousbathingsuitIeversaw。
　　Hesavedoneinthemostbusiness—likeway，too，asifhewereawaiter，youknow，passingfromonetabletoanother。
　　Nowonderthesocialfabriciscrumblingwhenquiteimpossiblepeoplelikelifeguardspermitthemselvestobecomeblase’oversuchmatters!
　　Thelowerclassesareverydiscouraginganyhow，don’tyouthink？——afterallwedofortheminthewayofphilanthropyandsociologyandupliftingthemgenerally，youknow!
　　Ofcourse，Ihaven’tlostmyinterestinsociology——notbyanymeans。Ialwaysholdfastthethoughtthatalltheworldarebrothers。
　　I’mtakingupDew—hoppingnextweek。It’sawonderfulnewnervecure。Formerlyitwasquitethethingtowalkbarefootinthedewatdawn。
　　ButatthisnewplaceI’vediscoveredtheydon’tmerelywalk——that’sgoingout，quite。TheyHOP。
　　Likefrogsandtoads，youknow。
　　Itbringsthepatientsintocloserkinshipwiththeelectriccurrentsoftheearth，hoppingdoes，thedoctorsays。It’sWONDERFUL!
　　Heistheloveliestman——withmysticeyes!——thedoctoris。
　　THESONGOFTHESNORE
　　FothergilFinch，Hermione’sfriend，theverslibrepoet，dodgesthroughlifeharriedandhuntedbyonepursuingFear。
　　"Someday，"hesaidtome——
　　（ItisHermione’sBoswellwhoisspeakinginthissketch，inthefirstperson，andnotHermione，theincomparable。）——
　　"Someday，"Fothergilfinchsaidtome，theothernight，inatoneofintense，bitterconviction，"somedayItwillgetme!SomedayIwillovertakeme。ThegreatBeat，Popularity，whichpursuesme!
　　SomedayItwillclutchmeandtearmeanddevourmySoul!SomedayIwillbeaPopularWriter!"
　　ItismyownimpressionthatFothergil’sfearsareexaggerated；buttheyareveryrealtohim。Hevisualizeshisownsoulasafugitiveclimbinghigherandhigher，runningfasterandfaster，toescapethisBeast。PerhapsFothergilsecretlyhopesthatthespeedofhisgongwillinducecombustion，andhewillleapfromthetopmosthillsofArt，flaming，directlyintotheheavens，theretoburnandshineimmortality，anauthenticstar。Well，well，weallhaveourlittleplane，ourlittlevanities!
　　"Fothergil，"Isaid，cheerily，"Popularityhasnotovertakenyouyet。Cheerup——perhapsitneverwill。"
　　WewereinFothergil’sstudioinGreenwichVillage，whereIhadgonetoseehowhispoemonMoonlightwasgettingalong。Hestrodetothewindow。Fothergilisnottall，andheisslightlypigeon—toed——thefleshlytoesofFothergilsymbolizethetoesofhisever—fleecingsoul——buthestrides。
　　Femalepoetsundulate。Eroticmalepoetssaunter。
　　Tramppoetslurchandswagger。Fothergil，beingaverslibrepoet，aProphetoftheVirile，aLittleBrotheroftheCosmicUrge，iscompelledbywhathisverseistostridevigorouslyacrossroomsasiftheywerevastdesertplaces，inspiteofwhathistoesare。Hestrodemagnificently，triumphantly，tothewindowandflungtheshadeupandlookedoutattheamorphousmistcreepinginacrosstheroofs。Thecrawlingfogmusthavesuggestedhisgreat，grayDread，forpresentlyheturnedawaywithashudderandsankuponacouchandmoaned。
　　’Ah，Heaven!Popularity!Thedisgraceofit——
　　thehorrorofit!Popularity!Ignominy!Whenitcatchesme——whenithappens————"
　　Hepluckedfromhispocketasmallphialandheldituptowardthelightandgazeduponitdesperatelyandraptly。
　　"Iamneverwithoutthis!"hesaid。"Itismymeansofescape。Iwillnotbetakenunawares!
　　Icarryitalways。Atnightitisbeneathmypillow。
　　Thedayithappens——themomentIfeelmyselfinthegripofPopularity————"
　　Icaughthishand；inhisexcitementhewasraisingthepoisontohislips。
　　"WhatIcannotunderstand，Fothergil，"Isaid，"iswhyaPoetoftheVirile，aReincarnationoftheCaveMan——excuseme，butthatiswhatyouarebeingthisyear，isitnot？——shouldgivewaytoFear。
　　IsitnotmoreincharactertomeetthisBeastandslayIt？Istherenotacertaincontradictionbetweenyourprofessionandyourpractice？"
　　"Morethanacontradiction，"hesaideagerly。"Itismorethancontradictory!Itisparadoxical!"
　　Ieliminatemuchthatfollowed。WhenFothergilgetsstartedontheparadox，timepasses。Heisneverreallyinterestedinthingsuntilhehasdis—
　　coveredtheparadoxicalqualityinthem。SometimesIthinkthathisenthusiasmoverhimselfisduetothefactthathediscoveredearlyinlifethathehimselfwasaparadox——andsometimesIthinkthatdiscoveryistheexplanationofhisenthusiasmfortheparadox。
　　"What，"saidFothergil，"isthemostparadoxicalthingintheworld？TheHumanSnore!ItseemsUgly—yetitisBeautiful!Itseemsatrivialfunctionofthebody——andyetitistheKeytotheSoul————"
　　"TheKeytotheSoul？"
　　"Mansleeps，"hesaid，"andhisConsciousMindisinabeyance。ButhisSubconsciousMindisstillawake。Itfunctions。Ithasitsopportunitytoutteritself。TheSnoreistheVoiceoftheSoul!AndnotonlytheSouloftheindividualbutoftheSouloftherace。Alltheexperiencesofman，inhisascentfromthemiretohispresentaltitude，areretainedintheSubconsciousMind—hisfights，hisstruggles，hisfalls，hisrecoveries。Andhisdreamsandnightmaresareracialmemoriesofthesethings。
　　Snoresarethelanguageinwhichheexpressesthem。
　　InterprettheSnore，andyouhavethepsychichistoryoftheascentofmanfromCalibantoShakespeare!
　　"AndIcaninterpretit!IhavelistenedtoamillionSnores，andlearnedthelanguageoftheSoul!Nightafternight，foryears，IharkedtotheHumanSnore——insummer，hasteningfromparkbenchtobeachandbackagain；inwinter，hauntingthemissionsandlodginghouses。Ah，Heavens!withwhatdevotion，withwhatpassionofthediscoverer，haveInotpursuedtheHumanSnore!Ihavegonemilestolistentosomesnorethatwasreportedtobepeculiar；Ihavedeniedmyselfluxuries，pleasures，andattimesevenfood，inordertohirereluctantpersonstoSnoreforme!
　　"AndIhavewrittentheEpicoftheSnoreinverslibre。Youshallheartheprelude!"
　　AndthisisFothergil’sprelude：
　　Snoremeasongofthesoul，Oh，sleeper，snore!
　　Whistleme，wheezeme，grunkleandgrunt，gurgleandsnortmeaVirilestave!
　　SnoretilltheCosmosshakes!
　　OnthewingsofasnoreIflybackwardabillionyears，andgraspthemastodonandItearhimlimbfromlimb，AndwithhisthighhoneIheatthedinosaurtodeath，forIamVirile!
　　Snore!Snore!Snore!
　　Snore，Ostrugglingandtroubledandsquirmingandsufferingandchokingandpurple—facedsleeper，snore!
　　Snoremethesoundofthebrutalstrugglewhenthebigbullplanetsbellowedandfoughtwithoneanother。inthebloodydawnoftimefortheloveoflittleyellow—hairedmoons，Snore!
　　SnoretillChaosrapswithhisbootonthewallsofCosmosandkickstothelandlord!
　　Turn，choke，twistandstruggle，sleeper，andsnoremethesongoflifeinthemaking，Sneezemeauniversefullofstar—dust，SnoremebacktothedayswhenIwasaCaveMan，andwithmybarehandsslewthewalrus，forIamVirile!
　　Snorethedeath—rattleofthewalrus，Ostrugglingsleeper，snore!
　　Snoreme————
　　ButIwascompelledtoleave。Thereisagreatdealofit，Fothergilsays。IfyouknowFothergilyouareawarethatwhenhedeclaimshisVirileverseshebecomesexcited；heswellsphysically；
　　sometimeshelooksquitefivefeettallinhismomentsofexpansion；allthisisverybadforhim。
　　Morethanoncethedeclamationofhispoem，"MyselfandtheCosmicUrge，"hassenthimshakingtotheteaurn。
　　BeforeIleftIwasabletocalmhimsomewhat。
　　Butwithcalmcamereflection。Andwithreflectioncamehisgreat，grayDreadagain。
　　WhenIleft，。Fothergilwaslookingoutofthewindowandshuddering，asiftheMonsterPopularitymightbehidingbehindtheneighboringchimneys。Onehandclaspedthephialcaressingly。
　　ButsomehowIdoubtthatFothergilwilleverbecompelledtodrinkthepoison。
　　BALLADEOFUNDERSTANDING
　　"DoesnottheWorld’sstupidityAttimesmakeSeriousThinkersfret？"
　　IaskedthefairHermione；
　　"Sometimes，"shesaid，"andyet……andyet。
　　WefeelweowetheWorldadebt!"
　　Shewavedaslim，bejeweledhand，Shebroodedonsomevagueregret……
　　"Ihope，"shesighed，"you’llUNDERSTAND!"
　　"IsnotyourhighPhilosophyToosubtlefortheMobtoget？"
　　Iasked……Sheponderedseriously；
　　"Sometimes，"shesaid，"andyet……andyet……
　　ShetrifledwithanamuletImportedfromsomeOrientland……
　　"WhatfishcanbursttheCosmicNet？……
　　IHOPE，"shesighed，"you’llUnderstand。"
　　"Art，ScienceandPsychology，Causesthatriseandshineandset，Doalltheseneverwearythee？"——
　　"Sometimes，"shesaid，"andyet……andyet。
　　WouldThoughtandLifehaveevermetUnless"……Shepaused。HerlashesfannedHereyes，withtearsofardorwet……
　　"Ihope，"shesighed，"YOU’LLUnderstand!"
　　"Princess，isBulltheOneBestBet？"—
　　"Sometimes，"shesaid，"andyet……andyetShemused，andthen；inaccentsbland，"Ihope，"shesaid，"you’llUNDERSTAND!"
　　HERMIONEONFASHIONSANDWAR
　　ISN’Twarfrightful，though；simplyFRIGHTFUL!
　　WhatShermansaiditwas，youknow。
　　Thoughtheysaythere’saneconomicconditionbackofthiswar，too。
　　Wetookupeconomicsnotlongago——ourLittleGroupofSeriousThinkers，youknow——andgaveanentireeveningtoit。
　　It’swonderful；simplyWONDERFUL!
　　Withouteconomics，youknow，therecouldn’tbeanyCivilization。
　　That’sathoughtthatshouldgiveonepause，isn’tit？
　　Although，ofcourse，thiswarmaydestroycivilizationentirely。
　　IfIthoughtitwaslikelytodothatIwouldjoininthePeaceDemonstrationatonce——orhavetheyhaditalready？——themarchforpeace，youknow!
　　Anyhow，nomatterwhatthepersonalsacrificemightbe，Iwouldjoinin。NotthatIcaretomarchinthedust。Andblackneverdidbecomeme。ButIsupposetherewillbesomeautos。And，well——
　　onemustsacrifice。
　　ForifCivilizationdiesout，whatwillbecomeofusthen？
　　WillwereverttothePrimordial？
　　WilltheCaveMantriumph？
　　Theveryideagivesmethecreeps!
　　Because，youknow，theCaveManisallright——
　　andthePrimitive，andallthat——asaprotestagainstDecadence—andinaLITERARYway——butifALLmenwereCaveMen!
　　Well，youknow，thethoughtisfrightful；simplyfrightful!
　　YoucanhaveafeelingforjustONECaveMan，youknow，inthemidstofCivilization，whenaMILLIONCaveMenwould————
　　Buttheideaistooterribleforwords!
　　AndinthiscrisisitisWomanwhomustsavetheworld。
　　Theloveliestwoman——she’squiteadvanced，really，andhasthemostcharmingtoilettes——toldourLittleGroupofSeriousThinkerstheothernightthatthisisthetimewhenWomanmustruletheworld。
　　ItisthetestoftheNewWoman。
　　IfANYTHINGissavedfromthewreckitwillbebecauseofHer。
　　Shecanwriteletterstothepapers，youknow，againstwarand—andallthatsortofthing，youknow。
　　And，ofcourse，iftheGermansandRussiansandEnglishdoallgettogetherandconquerParis，Isupposetheywon’tkillthemodistesanddesigners。
　　Civilization，youknow，isnotsoeasilykilledafterall。TheRomanswereconquered，youknow，butalltheirstylesandphilosophiesandthingsweretakenupbytheMedesandPersianswhoconqueredthem，andhaveremainedunchangedinthosecountrieseversince。
　　Butinatimelikethis，it’scomfortingtohaveaCausetoclingto。
　　Nomatterwhathappens，theadvancedthinkersmustclingtogetherandmaketheirCausecount。
　　AndifEnglandshouldconquerFrance，andputakingonthethronethereagain，nodoubttherewillbeagreatrevivaloffashion，astherewasinthedaysofNapoleonI。andtheEmpressEugenie。
　　ButifalltheadvancedthinkersintheworldcouldonlygettogetherinoneplaceandTHINKPeaceandHarmony——sitdownincircles，youknow，andsendPsychicVibrationsacrosstheocean——whocantellbutwhatthewarmightnotend？
　　Thetriumphofmindovermatter，youknow。
　　I’mgoingtoproposetheideatoourlittlegroupandpassitontoalltheotherlittlegroups。
　　I’dbewillingtogiveupanentireeveningtoitmyself。
　　URGESANDDOGS
　　Wehadquiteadiscussiontheotherevening——ourLittleGroupofSeriousThinkers，youknow——astowhetheritwasIdealismorMaterialismthathadgottentheGermansintothisdreadfulwar。
　　Isn’tIdealismjustsimplywonderful!
　　FothyFinchsaiditwasneither；hesaiditwastheRacialUrge。
　　It’sliketheCosmicUrge，youknow；exceptit’saltogetherGerman，Fothyexplained。
　　EveryonceinawhileyouhearofaNewUrge。
　　That’soneofthethingsthatdistinguishesModernThoughtfromtheoldphilosophies，don’tyouthink？
　　Although，ofcourse，theCosmicUrgeisn’twhatitusedtobeayearortwoago。
　　It’sbecome——er——well，VULGARIZED，ifyouknowwhatImean。EVERYBODY’Swritingandtalkingaboutitnow，don’tyouknow。
　　Ithink，myself，it’sgoingoutsoon。Andaleader——arealpioneerinthought，youknow，wouldscarcelycaretotalkaboutitnowwithoutasmile。
　　I’vejustaboutdroppeditmyself。It’sthesamewaywitheverythingexclusive。Itsoonbecomescommon。
　　Really，Ihadn’twornmywhitesummerfursthreeweeksbeforeIsawsomanyimitationsthatIjustsimplyHADtolaythemaside。
　　Don’tyouthinkpeoplewhotakeupthingslikethat，aftertherealleadershavedroppedthem，arefrightfullylackinginSUBTLETY？
　　Oh，Subtlety!Subtlety!WHATwouldmodernthoughtbewithoutSubtlety？
　　Personally，IjustsimplyHATEtheObvious。It’sso——so——well，soeasilyseenthrough，ifyouknowwhatImean。
　　FothyFinchsaidtomeonlytheotherday，"Hasiteveroccurredtoyou，Hermione，thatyouareNOT
　　anObvioussortofPerson？"
　　ItisalmostUNCANNYthewayFothergilFinchcanreadmythoughtssometimes。Wearebothsoverypsychic。
　　Mammasaidtomelastnight，"YouareseeingagreatdealofMr。Finch，Hermione。Doyouthinkitisrighttoencouragehimifyoudon’tintendtomarryhim？WhatAREyourintentionswithregardtoMr。Finch？"
　　Ididn’tanswerheratall——poordearMammaisSOold—fashioned!
　　ButIthoughttomyself————
　　Well，woulditbesoIMPOSSIBLE？
　　Ofcourse，marriageisaseriousthing。Onemustlookatitfromallpointsofview，ifonehasaSocialConscience。
　　HehasaLOVELYwaywithdogs，Fothyhas。Theytrusthiminstinctively——heisjustDEARwiththem。
　　Ihavesomebeautiesnow，youknow。Theyaregettingsotheywon’tletanyonebutFothybathethem。
　　MOODSANDPOPPIES
　　WetookuptheBhagavadGita——ourLittleGroupofAdvancedThinkers，youknow——
　　inquiteathoroughwaytheotherevening。
　　Isn’ttheBhagavadGitajustsimplyWONDERFUL!
　　IthasnothingatalltodowithBagdad，youknow——thoughatfirstglanceitseemsquitelikeitmight，doesn’tit？
　　Ofcourse，they’rebothOriental——aren’tyoujustsimplyWILDaboutOrientalthings？Butreally，they’reQUITEdifferent。
　　TheBhagavadGita，youknow，isallaboutReincarnationandKarma，andallthoselovelyoldthings。
　　WhenIstartmySalonI’mgoingtohaveaBhagavadGitaEvening——allincostume，youknow。
　　IfindthatwhenIdressinharmonywiththeIdeaIRADIATEsomuchmoreeffectively，ifyougetwhatImean。
　　FothergilFinchisthesameway。
　　Hewriteshisbestverslibrethingsinapurpledressing—gown。