The Quiet Corner
THE QUIET CORNER / counsel thee, shut not thy heart nor thy library.—C. Lamb. "I am growing absent-minded," said Dr. Angelicus, as he pulled off his gloves, noticing for the first time that he...
...We two love each other far too much ever to lose our love...
...This may help you then," replied the Editor, as he began:— " 'It happened on a sunkist garden bench in romantic, aromatic, impossible Italy...
...Finally, after a series of platitudes...
...Distanzio—this is so sudden!' "'No, no, my dear Absentia...
...Last week you included under the heading 'Best Books of 1925/ a note on Pilgrim's Progress—and we had to reset a whole galley in consequence...
...Exactly," said the Doctor...
...Yes...
...I will never marry you . . . Distanzio!' "'Absentia!' " 'My lovely, enchanting Distanzio!' " 'My fonder, fondest Absentia!' " 'They kissed ecstatically, and held each other in a long and loving embrace.'" * * m "I think," said Miss Brynmarian, reflectively, "that it will be Florida after all...
...Say then the sweet words that will make us irrevocably two—loveably and unconnubially, two!' " 'She meekly bowed her head, the maiden blushes mantling her cheek...
...Lord Morley, who had displayed marked attention and patience toward his visitor, suddenly held out his hand and said: 'I thank you, Mr...
...asked the Editor...
...Rejoicing in your absent-mindedness...
...These will be sent upon request...
...Information on binding will be given upon application to the office of The Commonweal...
...Arrangements have been made for binding volumes I and II in leather or cloth...
...Speaking of lands where the impossible is possible," said the Editor, "Cyril B. Egan has recently sent me an anecdote relative to the new manner of conducting courtships in Italy...
...I'm just trying to make up my mind whether to go to Italy or Florida this winter...
...A caller was advising Lord Morley at great length as to how to govern India...
...Haven't you read in the papers recently of the charming German professor, dean of philosophy at Leipzig University...
...Oh, please read it," exclaimed Miss Brynmarian...
...exclaimed Miss Brynmarian...
...Alas, we can then hope for no improvement...
...Don't worry about that," said Hereticus, "for there is always so much that it is best not to remember...
...More than that," replied Angelicus...
...America is too young for such a happy attitude* If the professor followed such methods here, he would be in danger of losing his job...
...Rejoicing...
...Doctor Angelicus pulled a clipping from his pocket and read— " 'The dean was alone in his library when a visitor was announced...
...from the very first day we met, I knew that of all people it was you that I would never wish to be my wife.' He raised her hands to his lips, and kissed them hungrily...
...The Librarian...
...The title page and index for volume II of The Commonweal are now ready...
...That is very distressing—for I had hoped that you would recognize the need for reform in this matter, and would be more careful in composing your literary notes...
...As one, we should be the hostile elements of a combustible compound...
...Promise me,' he said, his cheek pressed close to hers, 'that you will never marry me!' " 'The maiden started...
...Angelicus, as he pulled off his gloves, noticing for the first time that he had one brown one and one grey one...
...It seems to me," remarked the Editor, "that the young professor who had his visit thus abruptly terminated should have sent the dean of philosophy a note the next day to this effect:—'I see there are more things in heaven and earth, my dear Professor, than are suspected in your philosophy.'" "But apparently," remarked the Doctor, "the dean was not the originator of the idea, for according to Schuyler N. Warren, Jr., writing to the New York World—'The method . . . was one used by Lord Morley when Secretary of State for India...
...sighed the Editor, "and thus to minimize the bore hazard without appearing impolite...
...No wonder this clever professor is a dean...
...Ah dear, you will promise me—* '"Promise you?' she repeated, dreamily bridging his pause...
...The dean chatted with him for about ten minutes and suddenly arose, took up his hat, bowed and exclaimed—'Excuse me, sir, for taking up so much of your time.' He then left his own home under the delusion that it was he who was paying the visit.' " "Oh, to have the reputation of being absent-minded...
...That whatever mad proposal of matrimony the future whimsey of romance may evoke from my lips, you will refuse it—gently, firmly refuse it.' " 'This is a very important matter, Distanzio...
...Absent-mindedness," discoursed the Doctor, "like many another deprecated quality, has many advantages, and is sometimes quite an asset...
...I am not worrying—on the contrary, I am rejoicing," replied the Doctor enigmatically...
...Jones, but I feel I have no right to occupy any more of your valuable time.' This story is related by John H. Morgan in his book on Lord Morley.'" "Ah," sighed the Doctor, "it was all very well for Lord Morley in India, and for the professor in Leipzig—both romantically ancient and distant lands where the unexpected is always expected to happen—where conventions are made to be broken and their breach regarded as more charming than irregular...
...and in the advance stages one never knows what irresponsible things he will be saying next...
...Why do you press me for an immediate answer?' " 'Because I am but in the first stages of passion, Absentia...
...You mean it is convenient at times to be able to forget an uninteresting dinner engagement...
...It was a new professor at the university, who was calling in accordance with German etiquette, to announce his readiness to begin work...
Vol. 3 • February 1926 • No. 13
