`` When a young man , '' Mrs. Emory was wont to remark sagely and a trifle severely , `` prowls about that pond half of the night , a-chasing of things what he calls ` moonlight effecks , ' it ai n't to be wondered at that he 's sleepy in the morning . And it ai n't the convenientest thing , nuther and noways , to keep the breakfast table set till the farm folks are thinking of dinner . But them artist men are not like other people , say what you will , and allowance has to be made for them . And I must say that I likes him real well and approves of him every other way . '' If Murray had slept late that morning -- well , he shudders yet over that `` if . '' But aforesaid Fate saw to it that he woke when the hour of destiny and the milk-can struck , and having awakened he found he could not go to sleep again . It suddenly occurred to him that he had never seen a sunrise on the pond . Doubtless it would be very lovely down there in those dewy meadows at such a primitive hour ; he decided to get up and see what the world looked like in the young daylight . He scowled at a letter lying on his dressing table and thrust it into his pocket that it might be out of sight . He had written it the night before and the writing of it was going to cost him several things -- a prospective million among others . So it is hardly to be wondered at if the sight of it did not reconcile him to the joys of early rising . `` Dear life and heart ! '' exclaimed Mrs. Emory , pausing in the act of scalding a milk-can when Murray emerged from a side door . `` What on earth is the matter , Mr. Murray ? You ai n't sick now , surely ? I told you them pond fogs was p ` isen after night ! If you 've gone and got -- '' `` Nothing is the matter , dear lady , '' interrupted Murray , `` and I have n't gone and got anything except an acute attack of early rising which is not in the least likely to become chronic . But at what hour of the night do you get up , you wonderful woman ? Or rather do you ever go to bed at all ? Here is the sun only beginning to rise and -- positively yes , you have all your cows milked . ''
Mrs. XXXXX purred with delight .
Emory Murray a-chasing attack daylight fogs morning night nuther shudders