I don't want you to think for a minute that I came back from Paris a little Frenchified miss.

No, indeed! I'm as American as they make them.
When I boasted to the other girls, whether in Paris or New Orleans, I always boasted about two things: Dad and California.

And I've an idea I'll go on boasting about them till my dying day.
Of course, when I returned from Paris, Dad met me in New York.

It was a good thing he was rich, for it took a lot of money to get me and my seven trunks through the custom-house.

It might have taken more, though, if it hadn't been for a young man who came over on the same boat.
He was such a good-looking young man; tall and broad-shouldered and fair, with light-brown hair, and the nicest eyes you ever saw.