'I do not care for pearls.

I am very indifferent to all these...' 'Gewgaws ?' suggested Attwater.

'And yet I believe you ought to cast an eye on my collection, which is really unique, and which--oh! it is the case with all of us and everything about us!--hangs by a hair.

Today it groweth up and flourisheth; tomorrow it is cut down and cast into the oven.

Today it is here and together in this safe; tomorrow--tonight!--it may be scattered.