NOTEBOOK

entered, the audience standing. They came at 8:45, 15
minutes late. I wish they would always be present, for it
isn't permissible to begin till they come; and by that time
the late comers are all in.

Was conducted to their box, when I was done, by the
Aide de Camp. It was in every way pleasant.

A kitten walked across the stage behind me last night.
The audience laughed in the wrong place. I did not know
why till after the reading.

Friday, Aug. 23. Sailed for Australia in the Warramoo.

Strange how these great brown gulls (species of alba-
tross) can scrape the tip of one wing along the surface
of the water over all depressions and elevations and never
touch it. Have watched them for hours.

The recurrent dream. Mine is appearing before lecture
audience in my shirt-tail, a most disagreeable dream.

Honolulu Roadsted, Aug. 31. Reached here last night
at ten. Not allowed to land. Required to cast anchor and
unload our 700 tons of freight in lighters. Cholera.
Malignant form. Eight deaths this morning, five deaths
reported for yesterday.

500 seats booked for my lecture. Can't get ashore to
deliver it.

Young Mrs. Corbett says her mother (then Miss Dia-
mond) came here with me in the Ajax, 29 years ago.

Oahu—Just as silky and velvety and lovely as ever.
If I might I would go ashore and never leave. The moun-
tains right and left clothed in rich splendors of melting
color, fused together. Some of the near cliffs veiled in

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