CHAPTER X.
When momma reported to me Mrs.Portheris's proposition that we should make the rest of our Continental trip as one undivided party, I found it difficult to understand.
"These sudden changes of temperature," I remarked, "are trying to the constitution.

Why this desire for the society of three unabashed Americanisms like ourselves ?" "That's just what I wondered," said momma.

"For you can _see_ that she is full of insular prejudice against our great country.

She makes no attempt to disguise it." "She never did," I assented.
"She said it seemed so extraordinary--quite providential--meeting relatives abroad in this way," momma continued, "and she thought we ought to follow it up." "Are we going to ?" I inquired.
"My goodness gracious no, love! There are some things my nerves cannot stand the strain of, and one of them is your poppa's Aunt Caroline.

The Senator smoothed it over.