THE AMERICAN
its fullest capacity and then broke into gladness. "Why, Christopher Newman—I'll be blowed! Where in the world—? Who would have thought? You've carried out such extensive alterations."
"Well, I guess you've not," said Newman.
"Oh no, I hold together very much as I was. But when did you get here?"
"Three days ago."
"Then why did n't you let me know?"
"How was I to be aware—?"
"Why, I've been located here quite a while."
"Yes, it's quite a while since we last met."
"Well, it feels long—since the War."
"It was in Saint Louis, at the outbreak. You were going for a soldier," Newman said.
"Oh no, not I. It was you. Have you forgotten?"
"You bring it unpleasantly back."
"Then you did take your turn?"
"Oh yes, I took my turn. But that was nothing, I seem to feel, to this turn."
"How long then have you been in Europe?"
"Just seventeen days."
"First time you've been?"
"Yes, quite immensely the first."
Newman's friend had been looking him all over. "Made your everlasting fortune?"
Our gentleman was silent a little, and then with a tranquil smile, "Well, I've grubbed," he answered.
"And come to buy Paris up? Paris is for sale, you know."
"Well, I shall see what I can do about it. So they carry those parasols here—the men-folk?"
18
