ctly the
line of argument in a sermon delivered more than a year ago, is
certainly complimentary assurance of at least approximate success in my
effort."

"After all, I am sorry I humored Leo's whim, and persuaded papa to
bring us here."

"Why, my dear? We are enjoying it immensely," said her father.

"Because Syracuse has proved my 'crumpled rose leaf', by destroying the
prestige of the 'Cleopatra'. Hitherto, I deemed our yacht quite the
most complete and gorgeous floating palace since the days of its highly
improper namesake's marauding sails on the Cydnus."

"And so she is; there is nothing afloat comparable to her in speed,
appointments, comfort and beauty," interrupted Mr. Cutting.

"Poor papa! How he bristles at the bare suggestion of rivalry. Be
comforted, sir, in the knowledge that at least we shall not be run down
by a phantom cruiser. It is very humiliating to American pride--after
winning the international prizes, and boasting so inordinately, to find
out that we are only about--how many centuries, Leo?--twenty-five
centuries behind Syracuse in building pleasure crafts. Think of a
superb cabin with staterooms containing beds (not bunks) for one
hundred and twenty guests, and the floors all covered with agates and
other precious stones, that formed a mosaic copy of the Iliad! If you
wished to emphasize a discussion on connubial devotion, behold! there
on your right, Andromache and Hector; if one's husband objected to a
harmless flirtation, lo! on the left, Agamemnon and Briseis; and to
point the moral of 'pretty is, as pretty does'--how very convenient to
indicate with the tip of your satin slipper, the demure figure of Helen
standing on the walls, to watch the duel between Menelaus and Paris!
Fancy the consolation a person of my indolent Sacculina temperament
might have derived from the untimely fate of Cassandra, oppressed with
knowledge in advance of her day and generation! There was the gymnasium
for the beaux; and for the belles bona fide gardens, with walks and
arbors covered with ivy and flowering vines whose roots rested in great
stone vessels filled with earth. Imagine the boudoir and bathrooms
paved with precious stones, encrusted with carved ivory and statues--"

"Pooh! Alma. That rigmarole is not in the guide books. Come, Dixon is
waving his handkerchief down there, as a signal that luncheon is ready."

"I prefer to wait here. Alma, bring me some anemones, and a sprig of
ivy from the circul