I finished the first installment of my new novel "Mr. Prohack" (14,500 words) on Friday afternoon, two days in front of schedule. I have done more of this in October than I hoped to be able to do. I think I can best describe it as workmanlike, unlikely to win any literary plaudits, but it will be a good read, and should bring in some much needed income.
On Friday night Olive, Marguerite, Legros and I went to the Hammersmith Palais de Dance. It was the first time I had ever danced in public. However there was no ordeal about it. I even danced with Marguerite who knows less about dancing than I do. Intense respectability about the whole place. The instructresses had a certain chic, at least for Hammersmith, perhaps not for Paris!
Yesterday I went with Marguerite to Dickins & Jones new shop, in Regent Street, and was much pleased with the ribbon department. I was as usual struck by the felinity of the women customers with the vendeuses. These latter I suppose get into a habit of diplomacy and forebearance. They need it, by God! The dress department head, a decent, worn, diplomatic sort, showed enormous tact after we had put her to a certain amount of trouble about a dress which we had not the slightest intention of buying. I had hoped that we might indulge ourselves in a little "fooling around" in the trying-on room, which we have enjoyed on occasion in the past, but M. obviously wasn't in the mood. In fact she has been a little cold on the physical front lately. Well, we are neither of us getting any younger.
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