lies, or else with ducks, and sometimes both,
beautifully mixed together. For modern ducks to be smart and fashionable
must not swim or move about much. If they do, it gives them muscles, and
to have muscles, makes tough. How glad I am there are not creatures
thinking things like that about me when I play tennis or dance or drive
a motor! But ducks do not seem to be bitter about it. They just float
through life and smile in that way they have, when they are not waddling
slowly in front of motors. By the way, Peter says the "race memory" of
ducks and chickens and especially geese (who are clever though
misunderstood) is improving so much they do not now always cross a road
when a motor car is coming. They begin to remember from their ancestors
it is wise to wait.

After Jericho and another sweet place called East Norwich we came close
to Oyster Bay. Maybe your new cousin from America has told you about it,
and of Mr. Roosevelt, who is one of the heroes of America and has been
soldier and President and explorer and a little of everything. He lives
at Oyster Bay when he has time to live anywhere. And he is a "great
chief," so it is well to have a place called Sagamore Hill. You will see
why when you learn more about Indian things, as you will have to do if
you marry an American man, you know! I cannot stop to tell you now,
because I have come to the mysterious part of my letter; and the only
place that matters is the place which is lent us to live in.

[Illustration: map]*

We thought only to stay at an hotel, and Mr. Caspian or Captain
Winston would have telegraphed, but Peter Storm said no, there was a
nicer plan. For a surprise to us, Marcel Moncourt--our great
Marcel!--had asked a man he knew to let us dispose at his house--I mean,
_of_ his house. The man was away, but he was of those who will have all
things ready for the notice of a moment, if he drops down from the sky
upon his servants.

But, my child, it is a wonderful house! Not old, quite new, like the
Palace of Aladdin. All that misses is a roc's egg, hanging up in the
great hall, unless it is there, disguised in a chandelier from Venice.

Some servants are kept to be ready whatever happens. They are Japanese,
which makes even more the fairy-tale effect. Peter Storm gives them
orders, for that was arranged with our Marcel, it seems, before we
started. We owe this experience to Marcel; but then, we owe Marcel to
Mr. Storm; and I think it annoys Mr. Caspian