isit a near-by glove shop, which some among them had noted in
passing at the moment of our entry into the Louvre, they had returned to
examine and purchase of its wares; and so great was their haste, so
impetuous their decision that, one and all, they had neglected to inform
me of their purpose, each vowing she thought the others had addressed
me on the subject and obtained my consent.

Think of it, Mister President, I ask you! Here were eight rational
beings, all standing at the threshold of life, all at a most
impressionable age, who valued the chance to acquire such minor and
inconsequential chattels as kid gloves above a period of pleasurable
instruction in a magnificent treasure trove of the Old Masters. In my
then spent condition the admission, so frankly vouchsafed, left me
well-nigh speechless. I could only murmur: "Young ladies, you pain me,
you grieve me, you hurt me, you astound me! But you are so young, and I
forgive you." I then withdrew to my own apartment and rang for an
attendant to bring a basin of hot water in which I might lave my
blistered pedal extremities. Later, arnica was also required.

The following day, on returning from a small errand in the
neighbourhood, as I entered the _rue_ or street on which our hostel
fronted I was startled out of all composure to behold Miss Flora Canbee,
of Louisville, Kentucky, and Miss Hilda Slicker, of Seattle,
Washington, in animated conversation with two young men, one of whom was
tall and dark and the other slight and fair, but both apparelled in the
habiliments peculiar to officers in the French Army.

For a moment I could scarcely believe my eyes. I think I paused to
readjust the glasses I wear, fearing my trusty lenses might have played
me false; but it was true. As I hurriedly advanced, with amazement and
displeasure writ large on my countenance, Miss Canbee proceeded to
disarm my mounting suspicions by informing me that the two officers were
her first cousins, and then introduced them to me. They responded to my
cordial salutation in excellent English, Miss Canbee casually adding, as
though to make conversation:

"Of course you remember, Doctor Fibble, my having told you several times
that my mother was French?"

To this I could only reply in all sincerity that the fact of her having
told me so had entirely escaped my mind, which was quite true. Yet
ordinarily my memory for trifles is excellent, and I can only attribute
to press of other cares my fail