Angels and Women (1924)

88 ANGELS AND WOMEN
The bath is a scalloped pearl-shell, into
which flows perfumed water. Mats are
spread upon jasper floors, soft and bright
like a grassy lawn sprinkled with flowers.
Everywhere glows the action, color and
warmth of life, and a light like that of the
full moon pervades the balmy air.
Fatigued by long travel and unwonted excitement,
I soon took leave of my happy
mother for the night, and retired to the adjoining
chamber, prepared for my especial
use. What a contrast to that which I had
just left[ Cool, colorless, sombre, a realm
of thought, not sense; wall and ceiling all
of ivory, polished and carved in leafy boughs,
flowers, birds, and butterflies; long mirrors
reflecting beautiful designs, and startling me
with the reduplication of my own white
image standing entranced and motionless.
Upon the marble floor of blue and gray were
mats of bleached wool and goat’s hair.
Chairs and divans invited repose, and in a
small recess stood a dainty table containing