" The dinner was first rate, and the boat race, and it was all pleasant enough, but in Moscow they can never do anything without something _ridicule_.

A lady of a sort appeared on the scene, teacher of swimming to the Queen of Sweden, and gave us an exhibition of her skill.

" "How? did she swim?" asked Anna, frowning.

"In an absurd red _costume de natation;_ she was old and hideous too.

So when shall we go?" "What an absurd fancy! Why, did she swim in some special way, then?" said Anna, not answering.