We are getting her shipping, we are
taking away her steel and iron market for all the world, and she
deserves to have lost what she is losing; still, London must be a sad
sight to those who have eyes to see, and----"

"I don't think you'd find that grass has begun to grow in Bond Street
yet," said I. "And if you fancy that our finances are in such a bad
way, you had better read the Blue Book."

I did think this was smart of me, for I hardly know the Blue Book from
a Book of Beauty, but I've heard Stan say that you're obliged to
believe it, and that it proves England to be increasing every year in
prosperity. So I was glad I remembered to speak of it, and catching Mr.
Brett's eyes I saw such a twinkling smile in them that I hurried to
look away, or I should have laughed and spoiled everything.

There couldn't be a greater contrast between two men than between the
Reverend Jonas Panter and the great Whit Walker of the Emporium at
Hermann's Corners. We drove to Mr. Walker's after the Panters had gone,
as we all felt (though nobody put it precisely into words) that we
wanted some enlivening.

We didn't start until after "tea," as the Emporium is always open till
half past nine, and there was going to be an "ice cream festival" there
that night. I didn't know what an ice cream festival meant, but Mr.
Trowbridge said I should see for myself, and it would probably be
different from anything I had yet experienced.

Everybody from the farm went except Elisha, who didn't wish to, as he
is not quite happy yet, and is practising the flute of evenings. Mr.
Trowbridge and Mr. Brett and I all drove in the buggy. It was rather a
squeeze in one seat, but it was fun, and we were very merry. I like
buggies, though they do sound almost improper to an English ear, and it
makes it seem more amusing, somehow, because they talk about going for
"a ride" instead of a drive.

The rest all squashed into a big wagon, and sat on the hay. I would
have gone in that way too, but Mr. Trowbridge wanted me to try his
horse; and we could hear the others laughing every minute as they came
jolting on behind us.

It was about seven miles to Hermann's Corners, and after a lovely drive
through charming, peaceful country we arrived just as it was beginning
to be dusk.

I couldn't have imagined such a place as the Emporium, and when I was
in the thick of it I said to myself that it would be worth one's while
coming over to the States just to visit it, i