by George William Curtis (1824-1892)

[From Putnam's Monthly_, December, 1854 Republished volume, _Prue and I (1856), by George William Curtis (Harper & Brothers) ]

In my mind's eye, Horatio

Prue and entertain much; our means forbid it In truth, other people entertain We enjoy that hospitality no account is made We see the show, and hear the music, and smell the flowers of great festivities, tasting as it were the drippings from rich dishes Our own dinner service is remarkably plain, our dinners, even on state occasions, are strictly in keeping, and almost our only guest is Titbottom I buy handful of roses as I come up office, perhaps, and Prue arranges them so prettily in glass dish centre table that even when hurried out Aurelia step into her carriage out to dine, thought bouquet she carried was not more beautiful because more costly I grant more harmonious with her superb beauty and her rich attire And that if Aurelia knew the old man, whom she seen so often watching her, wife, who ornaments her sex with sweetness, although with less splendor, than Aurelia herself, also acknowledge nosegay of roses was as fine and fit upon their table as her own sumptuous bouquet is for herself that faith perception lovely lady my habit-- say, my nature, the best of people, rather worst If that all this sparkling setting of beauty--this fine fashion--these blazing jewels and lustrous silks and airy gauzes, embellished with gold-threaded embroidery and wrought in thousand exquisite elaborations, I one lovely girls pass me by without thanking God vision--if was all, underneath her lace flounces and diamond bracelets Aurelia was sullen, selfish woman, then turn sadly homewards, for I that her jewels were flashing scorn object they adorned, her laces were of more exquisite loveliness woman whom they merely touched with superficial grace It like gaily decorated mausoleum--bright , but silent and dark within

"Great excellences, my dear Prue," I sometimes allow myself , "lie concealed depths of character, like pearls bottom sea Under the laughing, glancing surface, how little suspected ! Perhaps love is nothing else sight by one person Hence every man's mistress is apt an enigma to everybody else that when Aurelia is engaged, people will say that most admirable girl, certainly; but understand why any man in love with her it were at all necessary should ! And her lover, like boy who finds pearl public street, and wonders that others see it , will tremble until his passion is returned; feeling, , whole world in love paragon possibly smile upon anything so unworthy as he "

" , therefore, my Prue," I continue to my wife, who looks up from her work regarding me with pleased pride, I were such an irresistible humorist, " allow me depth calm although the surface is dancing tell me that Aurelia is but giddy girl, believe that so But know, all the while, what profound dignity, and sweetness, and peace lie foundation of her character "

such things to Titbottom during the dull season office And known him sometimes to reply with kind of dry, sad humor, not he enjoyed the joke, but as joke made, that no reason why dull because the season was so

"And what do of Aurelia or girl ? " abstracted air "I, whose Aurelias were of another century and another zone "

Then he falls into silence which it seems quite profane to interrupt But sit upon our high stools desk opposite , I leaning upon my elbows and looking at him; he, with sidelong face, glancing window, it commanded boundless landscape, instead of dim, dingy office court, refrain from saying:

"Well ! "

He turns slowly, and I go chatting on--a little too loquacious, perhaps, young girls But that Titbottom regards such an excess as venial, sadness is so sweet that believe it the reflection of smile from long, long

One day, after I talking , and we had put up our books, and were preparing to leave, he stood for window, gazing with drooping intentness, he really saw something more dark court, and said slowly:

"Perhaps different impressions of things saw them through my spectacles "

no change expression He still looked window, and :

"Titbottom, know that you used glasses never seen you wearing spectacles "

"No, I don't often wear them not very fond of looking through them But sometimes an irresistible necessity compels me them on, and help seeing " Titbottom sighed

" so grievous fate, ? " inquired I

"Yes; through my spectacles," , turning slowly and looking at me with wan solemnity

It grew dark stood office talking, and taking our hats we went out together The narrow street of business was deserted The heavy iron shutters were gloomily closed over the windows From offices struggled the dim gleam of an early candle, by whose light some perplexed accountant sat belated, and hunting error careless clerk passed, whistling But the great tide of life had ebbed We heard its roar far away, sound stole into that silent street like the murmur ocean into an inland dell

" come and dine , Titbottom ? "

He assented by continuing to walk with me, and we were both glad when we reached the house, and Prue came to meet us, saying:

" I hoped bring Mr Titbottom to dine ? "

Titbottom smiled gently, and answered:

" brought his spectacles , and happier man "

Prue looked little puzzled

"My dear," , " know friend, Mr Titbottom, happy possessor of pair of wonderful spectacles never seen them, indeed; and, from what , rather afraid of being seen Most short-sighted persons are very the help of glasses; but Mr Titbottom seems very little pleasure "

" because they make him too far-sighted, perhaps," interrupted Prue quietly, as she took the silver soup-ladle sideboard

We sipped our wine after dinner, and Prue took her work Can man be too far-sighted ? question aloud The very tone Prue had spoken convinced me that he might

" ," , " Mr Titbottom will not refuse us the history mysterious spectacles known plenty of magic in eyes"--and I glanced tender blue eyes of Prue--"but heard of any enchanted glasses "

"Yet seen the glass your wife looks every morning, and I take it that glass daily enchanted " said Titbottom, with bow of quaint respect to my wife

such blush upon Prue's cheek since--well, since

" gladly tell you the history spectacles," began Titbottom " very simple; and not at all sure that great people pair same kind never, indeed, heard gross, like those young friend, Moses, the son Vicar of Wakefield , gross quite enough to supply the world kind of article the demand increase with use If all wear spectacles like mine, never smile any more Oh-- not -- all be very happy "

"A difference," said Prue, counting her stitches