PC_256_Poe_1910_1911_Typescript_049

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servants with their turbans, robes, rope girdles, and bare
feet look as if they had just stepped out of the Arabian
Nights. I am reading "Pepy's Diary" for the first time and
am greatly interested in it. By way of spice I also also read
some of Mark Twain's short stories; and to little Adelaide
Amos read some "Uncle Remus" stories.

December 24th.
After breakfast went out with Judge Evans to see Penang. Went
to the Botanical Gardens past cocoanut groves and tropical
homes. At gardens saw many interesting trees and shrubs, etc.--
the deadly upas, cinnamon, cloves, rubber, orchids, etc. De-
lightful tiffin at E. & O. Hotel, after which, Christmas Eve
as it is, the Judge and I sat with great delight in the cool
shade of the cocoanut palms on a green lawn looking out on a
summer sea. After another tour of the town with its variegated
population, we returned to our boat and I summoned Samuel Pepys
to entertain me in the main although mingling therewith some
conversation with fellow-passengers.

December 25th.
What a Christmas this is! I am wearing the thinnest and sheer-
est underclothing to be found and the thinnest outer suit I
have ever owned--a pongee silk. Delighted to find a Christ-
mas look about our breakfast table, thanks to the older and
younger Mrs. Sefton, both charming women: a Christmas tree
and a present for each one, a jack-in-the-box for the Captain
who thought he was opening chocolates when he got it, a red
ball for the Judge, a rattle for me, etc.

Spent the day in conversation with the men, women,