The Mark of Cain

Nonfiction, Religion & Spirituality, New Age, History, Fiction & Literature
Cover of the book The Mark of Cain by Andrew Lang, Library of Alexandria
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
Author: Andrew Lang ISBN: 9781465600981
Publisher: Library of Alexandria Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint: Language: English
Author: Andrew Lang
ISBN: 9781465600981
Publisher: Library of Alexandria
Publication: March 8, 2015
Imprint:
Language: English
In the Strangers' Room of the Olympic Club the air was thick with tobacco-smoke, and, despite the bitter cold outside, the temperature was uncomfortably high. Dinner was over, and the guests, broken up into little groups, were chattering noisily. No one had yet given any sign of departing: no one had offered a welcome apology for the need of catching an evening train. Perhaps the civilized custom which permits women to dine in the presence of the greedier sex is the proudest conquest of Culture. Were it not for the excuse of "joining the ladies," dinner-parties (Like the congregations in Heaven, as described in the hymn) would "ne'er break up," and suppers (like Sabbaths, on the same authority) would never end. "Hang it all, will the fellows never go?" So thought Maitland, of St. Gatien's, the founder of the feast. The inhospitable reflections which we have recorded had all been passing through his brain as he rather moodily watched the twenty guests he had been feeding—one can hardly say entertaining. It was a "duty dinner" he had been giving—almost everything Maitland did was done from a sense of duty—yet he scarcely appeared to be reaping the reward of an approving conscience. His acquaintances, laughing and gossipping round the half-empty wine-glasses, the olives, the scattered fruit, and "the ashes of the weeds of their delight," gave themselves no concern about the weary host. Even at his own party, as in life generally, Maitland felt like an outsider. He wakened from his reverie as a strong hand was laid lightly on his shoulder.
View on Amazon View on AbeBooks View on Kobo View on B.Depository View on eBay View on Walmart
In the Strangers' Room of the Olympic Club the air was thick with tobacco-smoke, and, despite the bitter cold outside, the temperature was uncomfortably high. Dinner was over, and the guests, broken up into little groups, were chattering noisily. No one had yet given any sign of departing: no one had offered a welcome apology for the need of catching an evening train. Perhaps the civilized custom which permits women to dine in the presence of the greedier sex is the proudest conquest of Culture. Were it not for the excuse of "joining the ladies," dinner-parties (Like the congregations in Heaven, as described in the hymn) would "ne'er break up," and suppers (like Sabbaths, on the same authority) would never end. "Hang it all, will the fellows never go?" So thought Maitland, of St. Gatien's, the founder of the feast. The inhospitable reflections which we have recorded had all been passing through his brain as he rather moodily watched the twenty guests he had been feeding—one can hardly say entertaining. It was a "duty dinner" he had been giving—almost everything Maitland did was done from a sense of duty—yet he scarcely appeared to be reaping the reward of an approving conscience. His acquaintances, laughing and gossipping round the half-empty wine-glasses, the olives, the scattered fruit, and "the ashes of the weeds of their delight," gave themselves no concern about the weary host. Even at his own party, as in life generally, Maitland felt like an outsider. He wakened from his reverie as a strong hand was laid lightly on his shoulder.

More books from Library of Alexandria

Cover of the book The Lance of Kanana: A Story of Arabia by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book From the Car Behind by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Les aventures du roi Pausole by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Bondwoman by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Cecilia Valdés o la Loma del Ángel by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Anthropophyteia (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Henrietta Temple: A Love Story by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Valley of Vision by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Specimens of German Romance: The Patricians, Master Flea (Complete) by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Clandestine Marriage by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Extracts From Adam's Diary by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Who Was Paul Grayson? by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Ancient America in Notes on American Archaeology by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book Poems of George Meredith by Andrew Lang
Cover of the book The Feather of Finist the Falcon by Andrew Lang
We use our own "cookies" and third party cookies to improve services and to see statistical information. By using this website, you agree to our Privacy Policy