our appearance I should never imagine you were as dangerous as
these papers state. Are you an American?"

"Yes," I replied; "and I assure you that I am dangerous only in the
official mind. I have no importance except what they give me."

"Mrs. Pierce is an American and unused to Russian ways," Mr. Douglas
said apologetically.

"Well, your case has been referred to General Ivanoff, and I will wire
him again at once. If you come back next Thursday I will give you a
definite answer."

We went out. It was a gray winter day, with a cold wind from the river,
but I felt glowing and stimulated and alive, seeing the future
crystallize and grow definite again. You can't imagine the wearing
depression of months of uncertainty.

"That Chief of Staff is the first human official I've met," I said to
Mr. Douglas.

"Give him time, give him time," Douglas replied. "Didn't you hear him
say he was new to the job?"

I write such long letters and all about _things_. But I want you to see
with me so we may share our lives in spite of distance. Armfuls of love
to you, my dearest ones, from

RUTH.

_November._

The Dowager Empress came to Kiev to-day to visit a convent that she has
under her protection. The Christiatick was very animated, with curious
crowds lining the sidewalks and fierce-looking gendarmes who snapped
their whips and made a great fuss about keeping the people in order. The
trams were stopped and officials rushed up and down the Christiatick in
huge gray automobiles. It was bitterly cold, and the waiting people grew
restless. At last a feeble cheer started up the street and swept down
the lines as a big car came tearing down the middle of the street. I
caught a glimpse of an elderly woman in black--that was all.

I went home. All the way up the hill I walked beside a "crocodile." How
pathetic those convent children are in their funny little round hats,
all so much too small, and their maroon-colored dresses with the
shoulder-capes to hide any suggestion of sex. Their noses were pinched
and their lips were blue from waiting in the cold to see their
"protector." They were at the age "between hay and grass,"
narrow-chested, and long-legged like colts. They climbed the hill
stiffly two by two, their eyes looking meekly at the ground. Three
sisters kept them in line.

At home I found a summons from the police to appear with Marie at the
local po