the
world from itself; but I do not think Mr. Caspian can have been that
kind, as he does not even like to talk of socialism now.

His friends here, the Hodges, live in a house which Jack Winston says
could swallow up and digest Buckingham Palace. He has made me meet them,
and they are very pleasant, but not so restful as the Langworthys, where
we stay. When the Hodges find I want to see sights, they are surprised
and laugh. It is not the fashion with people who live at Newport to see
sights. They have seen everything in the whole world, and care only for
seeing each other--the ones they know. Nobody else is worth knowing. Mr.
Caspian tries to be like that, but it seems an imitation. With the real
ones it is true, and not for effect.

It seems that our family must be very old, because everybody, even these
grandest ones, are kind to us, and think it is great fun that we keep a
hotel. Molly and Jack they like of course, because M. and J. are "great
swells."

Now, cherie, I must stop, and go for a walk with them. Molly calls it a
"potter." But you will not know what that word means!

A hundred wishes and loves! Your

PATRICE.

XX

NIGHT LETTER TELEGRAM FROM PETER STORM TO JAMES STRICKLAND

_New London._

Just missed getting into scrape here. Saved by presence of mind. You
have heard me speak of Ipanoff. Met him accidentally. He has relatives
seeing America, awaiting them New London; found me instead. Shall stay
to-morrow, letting my party go on. Meet Fall River by train. Couldn't
stand Newport. Writing you on business.

P. S.

XXI

MOLLY WINSTON TO MERCEDES LANE

_A Gorgeous Hotel in dear old Boston._

BEST MERCEDES:

I am thrilled with New England! It has got into my blood, which is of
the south. Why do we--you and I and the rest of us--dash over to Europe
before we're old enough to see much of and appreciate our own country?
Still, I'm thankful we did, or we shouldn't have met Jack or Monty.

Are you tired of travelling with me and my Lightning Conductor? You said
you couldn't, wouldn't, shouldn't be; so if you've changed your mind,
you've brought this on yourself.

I didn't quite realize, even with my first warm glow of admiration, all
that New England meant, in a