I didn't even look at the title of it.

It was for recreation reading, and I was on my way to my work.

I went mooning and dreaming along, and I think I hadn't gone more than fifty yards when I heard my name called.

I stopped, and a private carriage drew up at the sidewalk and I shook hands with the inmates--mother and young daughter, excellent people.
They were on their way to the steamer to sail for Paris.

The mother said, "'I saw that book in your hand and I judged by the look of it that it was a French novel.