are some things that even genius itself don't know how to
manage," says E. E., nodding her head, and smiling slyly; "but they can
be done. As soon as we get to Washington, all the papers there will
catch fire from New York, and the Senate will get up another committee,
and vote you a seat in the diplomatic gallery by ballot. We'll break
right into the Japanese furore, and carry off the palm," says she,
kindling up like a heap of pine shavings when a match touches it.

I began to feel the proud Frosty blood melting in my bosom.

"The woman who writes is more than equal to the man who votes," says
she.

"There is no comparison," says I. "Women are women and men are
men--nobody thinks of comparing rose-bushes and oak-trees--one makes
timber and the other perfume; we shelter the roses, and let the oaks
battle for themselves. So it ought to be with men and women--"

Cousin E. E. cut me short.

"That is beautifully expressed," says she, "but save it for one of your
reports or literary conversations; my head is full of Washington."

"And my heart is full of sadness," says I, beginning to droop again.

"Nonsense, you will be happy as a bird when we once get a-going," says
she.

Cousin E. E. isn't a woman of great depth, but she knows a thing or two
about fashionable life.

The York papers _did_ announce to the world that a distinguished party
had gone on to the seat of government, and, singular enough, it was done
exactly in E. E.'s own words--a circumstance that rather puzzled me.
What was more--the very day we got to Washington all the papers there
did the same thing, which set us at the top of the heap at once.

I hadn't the least idea of interfering with the Japanese that came to us
from California, and in that way seem to be turning the world the other
side about from what it used to be; but when genius takes the bit
between its teeth, it's apt to scatter things right and left. I suppose
it was the newspapers did it, but I hadn't been a day at the hotel when
a letter come to us from the President's mansion, which invited us to
come to the White House and see the Japanese presentation--in full
dress.

I declare I felt myself blushing all over when I read that. Did any one
suppose that we were a-coming to meet those outside potentates half
dressed? Some of them, perhaps, unmarried men.

"The idea!" as that child would say. I showed the card to Cousin E. E.,
who seemed to think it all right, so I said nothing, t