They are a sign; a sign of insincerity; a sign of suppressed vanity; a pretense that we despise gorgeous colors and the graces of harmony and form; and we put them on to propagate that lie and back it up.

But we do not deceive our neighbor; and when we step into Ceylon we realize that we have not even deceived ourselves.

We do love brilliant colors and graceful costumes; and at home we will turn out in a storm to see them when the procession goes by--and envy the wearers.

We go to the theater to look at them and grieve that we can't be clothed like that.

We go to the King's ball, when we get a chance, and are glad of a sight of the splendid uniforms and the glittering orders.