Yes, once I was a girl.

Once I was born.

Once, even, I had a mother, and was loved!" I could make no answer; but presently she changed again, swift as the sky when some cloud is swept away in a strong gust of wind.
"Come," she said, "I will bargain with you, after all!" "Any bargain you like, Madam." "And I will keep my bargain.

You know that I will." "Yes, I know that." "Very well, then.

I am going back to Washington." "How do you mean ?" "By land, across the country; the way you came." "You do not know what you say, Madam.