We both hoped sincerely that any English friends who saw that speech, and paused to realise that the orator was a parent of mine, would consider the number of Irish resident in Illinois, and the amount of invective which their feelings require.

Poppa doesn't really know sometimes whether he is himself or a shillelagh, but whatever his temporary political capacity he is never ungrateful.

He went on to give me the particulars of his interview with the President about the Chicago Post Office, and then I gradually unfolded my intention of preparing our foreign experiences as a family for publication in book form.

While I was unfolding it poppa eyed me askance.
"Is that usual ?" he inquired.
"Very usual indeed," I replied.
"I mean--under the circumstances ?" "Under what circumstances ?" I demanded boldly.

I knew that nothing would induce him to specify them.
"Oh, I only meant--it wasn't exactly my idea." "What was your idea--exactly ?" It was mean of me to put poppa to the blush, but I had to define the situation.
"Oh," said he, with unlooked-for heroism, "I was basing my calculations with reference to you on the distractions of change--Paris dry-goods, rowing round Venice in gondolas, riding through the St.Gothard tunnel, and the healing hand of time.