xistence if she hadn't frequently reminded him of it by screaming his
Christian name across banks of pansies and orchids. J. and I hoped that
jerry-built betrothal might crumble in consequence, as Larry's
fastidiousness is his most prominent feature. But no! it also stood; and
I will tell you the reason when I tell you about Pat.

Things were going on normally--and hatefully--when we bade Tuxedo Park
farewell, and found the Boys eating sausages and drinking ginger-beer.
We sailed about seeing scenery for part of the afternoon--scenery of
the Ramapo Valley and round Suffern, I mean--and falling more and more
in love with the Ramapo River. It has cataracts and wide-open spaces;
secret, hidden mysteries; Revolution history, and enough beauty and
charm of every sort to suffice three rivers instead of one. But we'd set
our hearts on spending the night at the Delaware Water Gap, so we had to
rush on in that irritating way which becomes a habit hard to break. It's
an obsession with even the least offensive motorists--like Jack and me!

There can't be _sweeter_ country anywhere than this, which I'm trying to
lure you to come and see when you and Monty can take your second
honeymoon, as we are doing; but it has no look of being _undiscovered_
like some we saw the day before. Rich people, but luckily people of
taste, know all about that cup of crystal, Pompton Lake, the sweet
singing Wanaqua River, and lovely Pequannock Park. They have made homes
for themselves, quite wonderful in beauty, and never pretentious; never
a staring house or grotesquely expensive gates to shock the dear little
childlike mountains and shady river. Along the winding roads, where
trees trailed shadows like dragging masses of torn Spanish lace, there
were fine stone walls draped with woodbine, and among the folding hills
were orchards like great flower-beds, surrounding the most lovable and
livable houses. Every five minutes we would come to a picture which
might have been "composed" by an artist: a pond reflecting a quaint
little church with two guardian grandfather trees, and a funny old "gig"
with a yellow horse, waiting for some one we should never see; an
ancient white house born to make a background for cedars far more
ancient; a lake with shining surface half hidden under red water-weeds
like coral necklaces broken and scattered on a silver salver. Oh, and I
mustn't forget the funny fire-alarms in front of isolated houses! A big
thing like a split i