'Have they any proper frocks for so large a party, Bella ?' asked the mother.
"'I thought I explained in the beginning, mamma, that they are Americans.' "'Still, you know they are only travelling,--just passing through, as it were; they may not be familiar with our customs, and we do want our party to be a smart one.' "'Wait until you see them, mamma, and you will probably feel like hiding your diminished head! It is my belief that if an American lady takes a half-hour journey in a tram she carries full evening dress and a diamond necklace, in case anything should happen on the way.

I am not in the least nervous about their appearance.

I only hope that they will not be too exuberant; American girls are so frightfully vivacious and informal, I always feel as if I were being taken by the throat!'" "A picturesque, though rather vigorous expression; however, it does no harm to be perfectly dressed," said Salemina consciously, putting a steel embroidered slipper on the fender and settling the holly in the silver folds of her gown; "then when they discover that we are all well bred, and that one of us is intelligent, it will be the more credit to the country that gave us birth." "Of course it is impossible to tell what country did give YOU birth," retorted Francesca, "but that will only be to your advantage--away from home!" Francesca is inflexibly, almost aggressively American, but Salemina is a citizen of the world.

If the United States should be involved in a war, I am confident that Salemina would be in front with the other Gatling guns, for in that case a principle would be at stake; but in all lesser matters she is extremely unprejudiced.

She prefers German music, Italian climate, French dressmakers, English tailors, Japanese manners, and American--American something--I have forgotten just what; it is either the ice-cream soda or the form of government,--I can't remember which.
"I wonder why they named it 'Fotheringay' Crescent," mused Francesca.
"Some association with Mary Stuart, of course.