Evening star., 1935-07-28
July 2S, 1885 ;

IuC' anu VIC "SlC dCk)OSllCu III
thoroughly metropolitan hotel.
Astonishing, how you Americans"
said Lady Emily, manage to be cos
mopolitanly comfortable all over the
place. Quite unnecessary, we'd think
it, at home"
But noticed she took advantage of
all the comforts Of the modern hotel
she thought so unnecessary, and did
herself very we'll at dinner. too. And
her attitude made me want to claim
Birmingham as my own; for after all,
it was my own in way, as was all the
rest of the country, come to think of it!
For by now l had quit pretending to
myself that | did not like America. No
one could have travelled this far and
seen, what | had seen and not de-
veloped enough national pride to
make one want to slap down any
British female who presumed to act
superior about it - even though in
Paris she had seemed to know so much
more about the world than I had.
washed my hands with as much vigor
as if we're washing them of the whole
British nation and then followed her
out into the lobby to find that the
Prince and Marcia had already
arrived.
Motor can't be ready until tomor-
row." she was announcing in tones of
obvious satisfaction. Are you all
staying here overnight"
1t seemed they were. Then the
Duchess put out her velvet claws.
Dear Miss Kattleburgr she
purred You dine with us, of course?
1t is understood Them
"You said it." Marcia admitted. Il
washed at the garage. Come on every
body, let's eat!'
And though was certain the
Duchess had not meant to include the
little stenographer" in her invitation,
Marcia put her arm through mine and
swept us all into the dining room.
All through the meal, the Duchess
fed Marcia's vanity. The Prince said
very little. except to the Du Bois.
They were really delightful gentle
people, and they knew my fathers
family.
Il am glad you are coming to New
Orleans, my dear" Madame said to
me. you must come to see us often.
1t is our home, you know. l am sure
you will be interested in the old house
we love so we'll"
Indeed l will" l said sincerely.
THE Prince and his aunt are to be
our guests during the Carnival" she
added, 80 you see. you come at just
the right time"
"Of course you'll be taking house,
Christ" asked Lady Emily. How
about putting me up for a week or
two?"
Marcia, ignoring Lady Emily's re-
quest, seized upon her main idea. "Of
course we'll take a house," Marcia
declared. "A large house."
They are rather hard to get," be-
gan Madame, but Marcia cut in with
a hard little laugh.
Then we'll buy one," she said, dis
missing the subject.
Everybody looked uncomfortable
except the Duchess who leaned over
and patted Marcia's hand affec-
tionately. You Americans are so
large in your waysr' she cooed.
1t was an awful meal, really. I
don't mean the food, which was good
but the atmosphere. And as soon as it
was over. l excused myself and fled to
the suite which Marcia had instructed
me to engage. 1t was. as commanded,
the largest, most expensive one the
hotel afforded, and in a sudden wave
of nausea at wealth and the hdeous
misuse of power it could impart,
turned out all the lights and sat in
darkness. watching the distant throb-
bing flame of the great furnaces which
seemed as tumultuous as my own
heart