Decrees

The outgoing university President gave us Workers the day off in appreciation for a "stressful and busy semester," so the Thirty-year-old secretary spent today lounging around in a state of late-Capitalist exhaustion. Spent the morning in bed reading the first third of Bleak House. Accidentally read the synopsis on the back which alleged that book was one of the first examples of a mystery. Had previously been very, very happy reading in bed (also happy making hot chocolate, toast with jam, potato chip bowl and consuming above to sustain self during lounging) and the mention of the word "mystery" made one feel suddenly guilty. Got out of bed. One ought to have been writing or at least going for a walk. It is a beautiful day in New York, one of the rare days when the sun is shining and it is neither humid nor freezing cold. Put on pants with intention of gong out into the World. Lost will. Instead, arranged cheddar cheese, cornichons, and crackers on plate, and settled self onto couch to fritter away the rest of the day with the wretched souls of Dickens's England (happily!) Felt that frittering was permitted, what with the Work that had to be done yesterday by decree of the New Man. Also tired from unfortunate scene yesterday in which the thirty-year-old secretary lost his head and Raised his Voice at the Water man even thought the Water man is a fellow Worker.