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AN UNFINISHED SONG
137

about upon it must be a fairy scene. I am afraid you became quite bewitched."

My brother-in-law was ready again.

"Became bewitched over what? The skates, the ice or the beautiful creatures?"

"Ah, but you were not asked," retorted my sister.

"Possibly I was bewitched," the doctor answered; "it would have been only natural if I had been, but the land had already charmed me so much, that I was prepared for any scene of beauty. The fiery, living liberty, the irrepressible energy impressed me first of all. There is not a sign there of the listlessness of our countrymen. One can do the work of ten men and enjoy doing it. Almost every student at my college found time for games besides being present at the lectures regularly, attending to his hospital duties and surgical operations, and staying up late into the night for study. Nor did they entirely absent themselves from dinner parties, balls, and theatres. I became simply speechless in my admiration of their energy."

"That is the great difference between England and India," remarked my brother-in-law.