When they were settled in, and in train to find daily occupation, there
was some speculation as to the reasons which induced Mr. Pepper to stay,
taking up his lodging in the Ambroses' house. Efforts had been made
for some days before landing to impress upon him the advantages of the
Amazons.
"That great stream!" Helen would begin, gazing as if she saw a visionary
cascade, "I've a good mind to go with you myself, Willoughby--only I
can't. Think of the sunsets and the moonrises--I believe the colours are
unimaginable."
"There are wild peacocks," Rachel hazarded.
"And marvellous creatures in the water," Helen asserted.
"One might discover a new reptile," Rachel continued.
"There's certain to be a revolution, I'm told," Helen urged.
The effect of these subterfuges was a little dashed by Ridley, who,
after regarding Pepper for some moments, sighed aloud, "Poor fellow!"
and inwardly speculated upon the unkindness of women.
He stayed, however, in apparent contentment for six days, playing with
a microscope and a notebook in one of the many sparsely furnished
sitting-rooms, but on the evening of the seventh day, as they sat at
dinner, he appeared more restless than usual. The dinner-table was set
between two long windows which were left uncurtained by Helen's orders.
Darkness fell as sharply as a knife in this climate, and the town then
sprang out in circles and lines of bright dots beneath them.
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