i listened patiently to their descriptions of the transports of those who rose from the waters , wonderfully invigorated , their pains eased , their indigestion cured , their fingertips wrinkledall , in short , infused with a new zest for life , a renewed ardor for playing cards and drinking tea and flirting and reading novels and gazing at the portraits of the all-glorious nash ( these , i collect , being almost inescapable ) , and whatever other worthy activities may form the framework of bath lives .