^ m^^. ALTEIVtUS' ';p4mi^'^^^^-( And pretty soon after that the bed-time for little girls had come, and Pollv had been kissed and petted a little, as was usual after she had snuggled down in bed, and had a little while alone with her dear Mamma, and then she had tried very hard to keep her promise, and "go right to sleep." But oh, dear, it had been such hard work to keep those blue eyes shut ! No matter how much she thought of the lambs jumping, one after the other, over the imaginary fence, it did not make her the least bit sleepy, and the lambs all seemed to scamper off to En- HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. 7 rope as soon as they had jumped the fence, and of course Polly's thoughts had to go flying after them. So, you see, it had really been a long while before the little tired lids had closed over those dear soft blue eyes, and sleep had really come. But when it did come you may be sure it was a very sound, sweet sleep, and so when Polly awakened in the morning it could hardly be wondered at that she thought she had been having a beautiful dream. She knew now that it was no dream, but a most delightful reality, and oh, how happy she was ! She came to the end of her long "think" at last, and turned her attention to her dressing, and just then Mamma came in to put the finishing touches to the process, and Polly's tongue wagged so fast all the while that it really seemed as though it were hung in the middle, like a little sweet-toned bell, and able to swing both ways. However, Mamma patiently answered all the rapid questions, and explained that Papa, having to go abroad on business, had decided that 8 HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. it would do Mamma and Polly good to go also, and be the best thing to keep him from being lonely, of course. And she told Polly something else that had not been told the night before, but kept for an added "surprise" this morning, and that was that Teddy's Mamma and Papa had given permission for Teddy to go with Polly to Europe, as a great and wonderful treat for both little folks. But Teddy didn't know it yet, because both Mammas thought Polly would enjoy telling him herself and giving him a delightful surprise. "So you may run over right after breakfast," added Mamma, "and tell him the good news." This additional beautiful "surprise" was more than Polly could bear in an ordinary way, so she just simply cried for joy (you've heard of people doing that?), and in the midst of her tears she began to laugh, and then she cried a little more, and it seemed a long time before the little happy Polly settled down and was able to eat her breakfast. CHAPTER II. teddy's surprise. PERHAPS before I go any farther I ought to explain to those of my Httle friends who have not chanced to read the first book about "Tlie Doings of a Dear Little Couple" that Polly and Teddy were next-door neighbors in the pretty village which was their home, and that they had been, during all their acquaintance with each other, most loving and devoted little chums. They were each seven years old at the time of my last writing, but at the time of this story had become eight-year-olders, and Teddy insisted that because their birthdays came together they were "real truly twinses." Now I will return to my story. When Polly finished her breakfast and was excused from the table, she scampered off as fast as she could down the garden till she came to the little gap in the fence of which my first book told you, you remember, and called: "Teddy! Ted-dee! Oh! Teddy Terry!" as loud as she could all the while she was running. Now, it happened that Teddy Terry was eating his breakfast at that time, and he was just putting a piece of potato into his rosy mouth when he heard Polly's eager voice. He swallowed that piece of potato so fast that it nearly choked him, and when he had finally gotten it out of the way, he said: "Please 'scuse me. Mamma, Papa!" and, slipping from his chair, was off in a jiffy to meet his little chum, Polly. "Oh, Teddy, come up in our tree!" cried Polly, as Teddy's curly brown head pushed through the low gap in the dividing hedge fence. "Come quick, quick, quick ! I've got the goodest news in the world to tell you 'bout!" She danced about on her little toes while speaking, 9 lO HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. and, Teddy's plump body having speedily followed his head, he left the fence, and with his little companion ran for the old apple-tree which — as you remember I told you in the first book — was the "consultation office" of our dear little couple whenever they had any especially pri- vate conversation with each other. So up into the stout branches of the old tree they clambered, and settled comfortably down in a safe fork of limbs amid a thicket of green leaves, and then, after Teddy had followed his usual loving habit of kissing Polly on her soft little cheek, and receiving the same sweet greeting from her, she proceeded to tell her secret. 'T'd ask you to guess it first," she said, "but oh, Teddy Terry, you never could in the world ! It's this : You 'n' I are going to Europe with my Papa 'n' Mamma ! There ! what do you think of that, Teddy Terry? Oh, isn't it the very bestest news we could have? Aren't you s'prised most to pieces?" Teddy's brown eyes opened so wide that it is a wonder they did not stretch out of shape. Surprised? well, indeed he was, and when Polly had told him more about the matter he gave the loudest whoop-la! he could, and then a funny thing happened — he slid ofi that tree and disappeared in the wood-shed near by, and — I don't know surely — but I think it likely he went in there to hide the tears that came to his eyes, the tears of joy which Polly had had, you know, only Teddy didn't want her to see him turn "cry-baby," and so he had run quickly away. But Polly soon found him there, and together they went to see his Mother, and then he learned more fully all about the pleasure in store for him, and that Mamma and Papa had consented to let him go because tJw\i had been called unexpectedly away a long distance to see a sick relative, and it made them glad to know that their little son would be safe and happy with Polly and her Mother and Father during that time. Afterwards, when Teddy and Polly were again together, they talked the coming trip over as children do, and were greatly excited and delighted. "I promised Mamma solermy, oh, jus' as solermy as could be. that I'd be the goodest behaving boy your Mamma ever saw!" said Teddy, when he and Polly, tired of jumping about and shouting HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. II "whoop !" at last sat down on the grass to talk it over, "and — and — ' she said she wasn't 'fraid to trus' me at all." "Course not," responded Polly; "you're the best that ever could be to keep promises, and if you forget -'bout 'em, it's jus' 'cause you couldn't truly help it." The more they talked over the wonderful new surprise, the more excited the dear little couple were growing, and the number of times Teddy put soft kisses on his Polly's cheek (one of his sweet little ways of expressing his joy, at any time, over pleasures they were to share together) I cannot tell, but you may be sure he did not limit his kisses in the least, dear loving little chum as he was ! CHAPTER III. STARTING DAY. AS the days went by, tlie children grew very restless, wishing the "starting day" would come. Ted's Mamma had packed his little trunk, and marked it "T. T.," and finally, when only one more day remained of the "between days," as the children called them, Mr. and Mrs. Terry had bidden their little son good-bye and started off on their own journey. So Teddy was all the more glad when the "great day" came at last. "Hurrah, hurrah, Polly ! This is our starting day ! Polly, why don't you halloo?" "Tm going to halloo," replied Polly: "listen!" And her voice rang out in a clear shout which reached even down to the gate. "Once more," cried Teddy, and this time his voice joined hers, and Mamma, coming to the hall door, looked out to see what was going on. "It's 'cause we're so glad, Mamma dearie," replied Pollv to the question asked, "and it's our starting day, you know." She was perched upon the piazza rail nearest the piazza of Teddy's house, 12 "Teddy's Mamma had packed his little trunk." 13 14 HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. and Teddy was to have breakfast with her presently. Just now he was having his jacket well brr.shed by Bridget, as he stood on his own piazza, and he was so impatient to get over to Polly that he could hardly stand still long enough for the brushing. "Goin' inter the dirty wudshed just to see 'bout that tricircle," said Bridget, grumbling as she brushed, "an' s'ilin' this bran' new suit yer Ma bought for yer trav'lin' ! I told yer I'd put it safe away!" "Well, I wanted to see if you hadn't only thought you'd put it safe," explained Teddy, who had considered it a very manly thing to in- vestigate his affairs himself, and had consequently gotten his new clothes into disgrace. "There now, yer clane and swate as a rose, an' it's ould Bridgie who'll be missin' the trouble of versel', an' for sure'll be wantin' some more of that same !" said the good woman, giving him a parting hug and pat before he was off to join Polly. At half-past nine the carriage was to come for them and their trunks, and they would catch the ten a. m. train for New York, and say good-bye to their pretty village home for a long time. It was truly a very exciting morning, and Polly's mood for rhyming was so strong that she finally accomplished this wonderful couplet, which Teddy admired as much as she did her- self. It ran this way : — "Oh, Teddy Terry ! we're going away ! For this — this — this is our starting day!" So Ted caught the rhyme, and joined in the singing of it, and if it was sung once, it certainly was sung twenty times, till at last Papa put his head out of the window and asked "if they would mind giving him and the neighbors something nczvF" Breakfast over, the little couple sat down on the sofa in the hall and watched the clock, and at last the little hammer inside lifted itself and struck against the bell waiting beside it, and lo and behold ! there came the carriage, driving up the road, and through the big gate, and up to the door. Then the trunks were put on the rack behind (while Teddy watched closely to see that the man did not forget to go and get the "T.T." little trunk). HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. 15 Bridget and Ann were on hand to say the last good-byes, Mamma gave a few last direc- tions, and entered the carriage, Papa poked the small couple in, topsy-turvy style, got in himself, called out good-bye to the ser- vants, who were wiping their eyes with the corners of their aprons, and — the long-antici- pated "start" had taken place. Polly was radiant. She hugged Papa, squeezed Mamma, threw her arms around Teddy, and kissed him over and over (getting as many kisses from him as she gave, you may be sure), and finally settled down with a long sigh of deep, pure content, and said "she was so happy she felt crowded inside of her, right up to her throat !" And Teddy, not willing to feel different from Polly, said : "So do I !" I won't be able to tell you very much of the short journey to the city of New York, for Pve neither time nor space for it. But you know Polly and Teddy were just like you, my dear little girls and boys, and they enjoyed the few hours of train ride past fields and villages, hills and meadows, and all the various kinds of landscape views, they watched from the windows of their car, just as much as you have en- joyed such little trips; and, moreover, they were just as restless and fidgety — when feeling that they wanted to have a good run about, and couldn't "because they were shut up in a railroad car so long!" — ■ as all little folks (who are real live little folks) are apt to get under such circumstances. But the cars sped on and on, and after a while they rushed pell-mell into a long dark tunnel, which Polly at once l6 HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. recognized as the "beginning of the end" of their journey to New York city. "Now, jus' as soon as we get into the hght again, and under a big high roof, and the cars stop, that will be New York! Oh, Teddy Terry, aren't you glad we're almost there?" In his excitement Teddy forgot where he was, and, jumping to his feet, he shouted: "Whoop!" as loudly as if he had been standing in his own garden at home. Then, with an immediate sense of his mistake, the little boy dropped again into his seat, and covered his mouth with both hands, while his little crimson face was a pitiful sight to see. "Oh, I forgot !" said he. "I truly did forget ; but I did feel so full of halloo, I — I — it came right out 'fore I guessed it would!" He looked very penitent, but whispered to Polly : "Don't you wish you could halloo, Polly darling? I should think you would !" "Teddy Terry, I'm just bursting to halloo as loud as I can, but I s'pose we'll have to keep on wanting to and never doing it while we're European travelers. It'll be hard holding in, Teddy ; but we've truly got to, else Mamma and Papa'll be 'shamed of our queerness again, don't you see?" Teddy saw, and made up his mind to crowd his "hallooing feelings" as deeply down inside nf him as possible in future; and just then the train gave a jerk, and began to move again very slowly, and at last New York was reached. CHAPTER IV. ON THE VOYAGE. IT was a very fine morning when our party of four went on board the steamship (which we will call the Funda, though that is n't the real name) bound for the sunny Italian town of Naples. The water sparkled in the sunshine, and the harbor was gay with the many kmds of ships and vessels in port. The dock was crowded with people going away and the friends who had come down to see them off, as is always the case. Teddy and Polly clung to Mamma's hands, while Papa attended to the baggage, and at last they were safely on the steamer's deck, watching the crowd below and the handkerchiefs con- stantly waved from dock to deck and from deck to dock. Of course there was a great crowd of people on the ship also who were not going away, but were taking a look at the steamer's handsome saloons and state-rooms, and chatting with their departing friends or relatives until the warning cry : "All ashore !" would be heard. As Teddy and Polly presently went with Mamma down the grand staircase from the deck to the dining-saloon, and along the corridor to the two state- rooms reserved for their use, they noticed with great delight the quantities of beautiful flowers arranged on the dining-tables awaiting the passengers to whom they had been sent by friends as a "Bon Z'oyage" and "send-off." (You know, perhaps, without my telling, that "Bon voyage" means "good voyage" — "pleasant journey" in other words.) There were a quantity of letters also waiting to be claimed, and presently Mamma found several for herself, and oh! joy for Teddy! one little letter addressed to him. How surprised he was! and how Polly rejoiced with him ! "Why, how did Mamma get it here all right on this ship, Auntie?" he asked, as Mrs. Darling opened it to read it to him. 2 — Dear Little Couple Abroad. ^ -wy iB HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. "Oh, she knew just when the ship was to sail from here, and sent it along in the good old mail-bag, and su here it is, all full of surprise for her boy, and full of love and kisses." Then she read it to him, sitting — they three — in a quiet corner of the saloon, and Teddy's brown eyes filled with loving tears, and just a little bit of homesick longing for a sight of his dearly loved Mother's face. But the letter made him very happy, and after ".\untie" had finished read- ing he laid his soft little lips and then his cheek against it for a minute and handed it to her again for safe keeping. Then they went to the state-rooms — Polly was to share with Mamma, and Teddy and Mr. Darling were to ha\'e the room con- necting — and Mamma put everything in order for the voyage, and then they went back to the deck to watch the preparations for casting ofi' from the dock. The trunks were rapidly being lowered into the hold, and Teddy screamed with pleasure and excitement when he chanced to see his little trunk borne along on the shoulders of a big sailor who handled it as though it were only a feather. The letters "T. T." stood out proudly enough on the end of the trunk, as though they felt the great importance of belonging to a boy who was being a "European traveler" for the first time in his life. "And see, Teddy, see !" cried Polly, pointing eagerly to a man following next. "There's Mamma's trunk ! I see the big red 'D' on the top. But Papa's isn't there! Oh, Teddy Terry, do you s'pose they're forgetting 'bout Papa's trunk? Don't you think I ought to find Papa and tell him 'bout it?" "Hi! man!" began Teddy, in his zeal for the trunk's safety, but Mamma caught his little arm as he was waving it about frantically to attract the sailor's attention, and stopped further proceedings on the spot, explaining that nothing would be forgotten, and that they surel)^ would find the trunk all safe and sound on arrival at Naples. Just then Papa came along, and they moved to the rail of the deck to watch the people obey the warning shout of "All on shore!" while the hoarse whistle of the steamer's "blow-pipe" and the hurried orders given by the ship's officers made a sort of confusion which was in- tensely interesting to our dear and wonder-struck little couple. HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. 19 Impulsive Teddy, after his usual fashion when overcome with delight or deep feeling of any kind, threw his arm about Polly's neck and repeatedly kissed her fair little cheek, nor cared how many strangers were looking on. Indeed, I don't believe he even gave them a thought, as he was entirely absorbed in his joy, and his Polly; and as for Polly herself, she was so used to being kissed and loved by her little comrade that the presence of strangei's did not trouble her at all, and she calmly kissed Teddy back again, greatly to the amusement of her Father and Mother, as also of some people standing near, who asked Mrs. Darling if the children were twins. Mamma laughingly explained about them, and told of their devotion to each other, and how Teddy happened to be with them on the trip. "Well," said one of the group, "/ certainly think they are the dear- est little couple I ever met." And Mamma smiled when she heard the usual title again given to her young charges. So you will readily be- lieve me when I tell you that it was n't long before Teddy and Polly 20 HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLe" WENT ABROAD. were prime favorites on board with all with whom they came in contact. But we must re- turn to our little ones, who, you know, were watching the clock and the preparations for the start. They didn't know anybody on the dcick, but wished all the same to do as much handkerchief-waving as anyl)ody else, so they went at it heart and soul; and, thriugh the Ijreezes didn't plav tricks on any of the "grown-ups," yet they certainly did with I'ollv and Teddy, for pres- ently there were two small handkerchiefs floating in the air, and far beyond the reach of the surprised little owners, whose eyes were fol- lowing their property hopelessly enough. But the little couple didn't care. "Let's play they're little white birds," laughed Polly, secretly wishing they had some more to float off. You see, they were too ha])py to mind any sort of mishap not serious. The little handkerchiefs floated farther on, and finally landed around the corner of the dock. While tlie children were pulling Mamma's gown to call her attentic)n to it, and tell her ab(iut the mis- hap, there came a last shout of "Good-bye ! good-bye !" from those on deck and on shore, and the gang planks were hauled in, and with a slow, very gentle mrivement, as the mooring-ropes were cast off and pulled on board, the big steamship moved away from the pier, and the distance gradually widened between her stern and the watchers on the dock, who Avere still waving hats, hrmdkerchiefs, and canes with hand- kerchiefs fastened to their heads, so that the farewell simials mig^ht reach as high and as far as possible. CHAPTER V. ON THE VOYAGE. ^"^HE morning slipped away rapidly, and by tlie time the bugle blew its summons for luncheon the little couple had explored the steamer, under Papa's guidance, pretty thoroughly. You know the steamer, under Papa's guidance, pretty thoroughly. You know children like to explore, and go scampering about to see all that can be seen, in a new place and amid strange surroundings, and Polly and Teddy made no exception to the rule, you may be sure. They had looked wonderingly down from the first-cabin deck upon the steerage deck, and had taken note of the funny and the too often sad scenes to be found in the steerage of a ship. It was all very interesting and very wonderful to see the emigrants of different nationalities all gath- ered on the deck : some stretched out in the sun, some eating out of dishes which Polly and Teddv thought looked "very dirty and hor- rid"; some resting their tired heads on their hands, supporting their elbows on their knees ; crowds of little bits of children, babies, and untidy-looking men and women, mingling with others wdio were far more respectable in appearance, but too poor to be able to pay more than the low steerage fare. Our children took evervthing in with their bright, attentive eyes, and felt very sorry for those poor passengers be- low their own clean, comfortable deck. They had made friends with several of the sailors, and the "little sailor" (the captain's boy), and had been stopped by so many of the passengers who wanted to have a chat with the dear little couple that they felt quite well acquainted with everybody. They had — after the easy fashion of all little people — scraped acquaintance with the few other children on board, and had 21 22 now "a dear little couple" went abroad. finally gotten tired of racing about, and were really quite as hungry as little bears when luncheon was ready. The luncheon in the beautiful flower-ilecked dining-saloon was, I will add, another most interesting event for them ; and though they felt a little shy at first, and afraid of the attentive stewards, and of so many strangers at a time all about them, yet I can assure you they be- haved like a little prince and princess, and nobody even guessed how shy they were (thougli everybody near them did notice, I will say just here, what cultivated little table manners "that dear little couple" possessed). Well, it was some time since luncheon was done with, and while Papa and Mamma were lolling back in their steamer chairs reading, Teddy and Polly were standing close by, looking over the rail. The wind had arisen greatly during the afternoon, and big rolling waves were chasing each other over the water, making "soap-suds" white and foamy as Bridget and Ann at home used to make on washing-days. Teddy wore a little velvet traveling-cap, black, of course, to match his velvet knickerbockers and the little jacket he wore over his white frilled shirt with its broad white collar. Just now the wind had blown his cap almost oiT his head ( fortunately it couldn't blow it out to sea, for wise Mamma had secured it with a cord to a buttonhole in his jacket), and it was tilted a little on one side of his brown, soft curls, and was giving his pretty face a very roguish expression. Polly was wearing a dainty grey dress and little jacket, and a grey "Tam o' Shanter" cap upon her sunny head. The wind had a fine time blowing her long wa\'y hair about her shoulders, but her cap was as safely secured as Ted's, so they didn't mind the pranks of the wind, Avhich seemed to blow harder e\'ery minute. Although Teddy's face looked, as I have said, quite roguish, and although Polly was chattering away, seemingly as merrily as possible, yet neither of them felt ^'ery roguish or merry, and pretty soon Teddy said, in a sort (if subdued tone: "T — T don't really think decks are nice as gardens, do you, Polly?" "Why, Teddy Terry!" was the surprised reply, "you said your Tolly and Teddy made friends with the cap- tain's little boy." 23 24 HOW 'a dear little couple" went abroad. own self, jus' a teenty time ago, that you liked decks lots better'n our gardens !" "Well, gar — gardens don't make you feel so — so sort of queer right here!" said Ted, laying his chubby hand on his chest. "Don't yuu feel something funny inside?" "Well, I don't feel real good, Teddy, but — let's — oh, let's — I must go and ask Mamma what makes me feel so queer." And suddenly turning from the rail, the little girl, who had never before had such strange sensations, staggered over to her mother's side, and with pale face begged to go and lie down. Teddy followed her, equally white and fearful, and Mamma and Papa at once led them down the stairs to the state-rooms. "Poor little tots!" said Papa; "you're only having your first ex- perience of sea-sickness! It won't last long." Teddy and Polly didn't care how long or how short things might last, if only they could just that niinutc feel better. But the "lunny feeling" relieved itself in the usual way very soon, and our little couple were put into their berths and comforted and petted until they fell asleep, and as they slept poor Papa and Mamma had their little turn at the same kind of discomfort, and, when they were relieved, followed the children's example and took a long nap. They didn't care for dinner that night, either of the party, and in fact very few of the passengers went to the dining-saloon, for the steamer was ha\'ing such a wild frolic and dance on the waves that things were hardly comfort- able on deck or in the saloons, and the stewardesses and stewards were very busy all night, and for all the next day. because the gale lasted so long and made so much seasickness on board that nobody felt very happv, you see. CHAPTER VI. NAPLES IS CLOSE AT HAND. THE discomforts of the voyage, however, were very few ; and after the strong winds died away, and the sky got rid of the wind clouds, and brought forth its merry sunshine agaiiL the passen- gers crowded the decks, and took their ease in their comfortable steamer chairs, reading, writing, or just being lazy awhile, and the children played the game of "shuffle-board," and "tag," and "hide- and-seek," and such games as little people ^\'hen they get together whether on land or shipboard, enjoy with all their might and main. Polly and Teddy laughed as loud and as often as the rest of the children, and bumped with the "grown-ups" during "tag" quite as fre- cpiently, but they always said : "Excuse me !" when they did so, and if it was a lady they ran against Teddy's cap was off in an instant while he made hjs little polite apology. I regret to say the other little ones were apt to forget that small act of politeness; they were so fearful of being "tagged," perhaps they hadn't time for apologies for uninten- tional rudeness. But after awhile, in some way, they caught the trick 25 26 HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. from Polly and Teddy, and surely that was a guod thing, wasn't it? (I only mention tbis to show you that even little people — no matter \v)\\' little they are — can influence each other for good or bad, and it is su much better to choose the "good," you know). And now 1 come to the da)- — or rather the early morning of the day — when the good ship steamed into the beautiful Bay of Naples with her colors flying, her band playing, and a crowd of excited and early risers amongst the passengers at the deck railings. Amongst them, cif course, were our little couple and Mamma and Papa, and the children were wild with delight over the novelty of the scenes before them : the swarms of small native boats, which hung ar(jund under the steamship's sides, at her Ijow, and under her stern ; the natives them- selves, calling out in their whining tones for "Moiiic, uioiiicf (money) ; the little Italian lads \vlio \vere constantly diving for the pennies some of the laughing passengers were tossing into the water. You would not believe they could possibly have found those pennies (they were not "pennies" as zee call our coppers, but small coin of not even the value of one of our pennies, and which were called "centcsinii" ) in the water; but then you must know the water in the Bay of Naples is very blue — oh ! a Ijeautiful blue — and very transparent, and those small imps of divers would dart head-first down beknv the surface, and catch the coin in their teeth, and come up laughing, ready for more. Our children had, during the voyage, seen porpoises jumping out of the A\'ater, and had seen the signalling of the few passing ships, and had thought those sights great fun. Think, then, Imw "all-overish with gladness" they felt here in Naples harbor, watching these foreign scenes, and so happy with the novelty of their position that they fairly Iringed to open their rosy mouths and whoop after their usual fashion at home. Thev looked ahead of them and saw the pretty city of Naples gleaming in the shine of the early rising sun, with its terraced gar- dens rising nne above the other in masses of green foliage, through which the gaily-colored rctofs of houses and other buildings could be seen. It made a charming and picturesque sight for everybody ; and HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. 27 even those who hatl seen it all many times before, pcrlia^js, felt the same thrill of delight as our dear little couple were feeling as they be- held it all for the very first time. "It makes me feel so full in here!" said Polly, to her mother, while her blue eves shone like stars. "Me, too !" echoed Master Teddy, placing his hand as Polly did, on his heart, and drawing a long breath. But we must hurry on with our story. (Don't blame vie, children, 28 HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. for hurrying, and leaving out much you would like to know, Ijut blame the riiblishcrs, for it is all their fault, I'll tell you privately J When, at last, our party found themselves on the dock, and were waiting for Papa to finish attending to the baggage, Pully saw something which made her cry out : "Oh ! look !" It was a little Ijower all decorated with large yellow lemons, larger than any lemons the children had ever seen l)ef(ire. The bower was coming straight towards them, and they couldn't see what made it move. P'rom the top c)f the little arch ( the inside of the arch, which was just like a tiny summer-house ) more big lemons were hanging, and also some little glasses, which were hanging by handles. As tjie queer thing came nearer, the children disco\'ered that the small bower was built upon a little hand-cart, and tliat a brown- faced Italian lad, no older than Teddy, was drawing it between shafts, as though he had been a little pony. He was so nearly hidden b)' \'ines and lemon boughs that it was no wonder he had not at first been seen bv Teddy and Polly, whose bright eyes were seeing so much. Nestling amongst vines on the bottom of the cart was a bright tin pail, and that was full of lemonade, which looked A'cry clean and nice because it had just been freshly made. The little lemonade vendor came close to our party, and began a low, bird-like beautiful whistle. It sounded like a flute at first, then like a bird, then like a sweet Eolian harp, and even Mamma was delighted to hear it. After he had finished, his lilack eyes twinkled, and he said in liroken English which Italian ch:ldren readily pick up : "Buy limonacle ! ze signorina buy limonade? \'era chip" (cheap), "on'y fiva centa glass!" He filled a glass and handed it to Poll}' — "rt- little iiiecs!" "We're very fond of lemonade, Auntie Darling," said Teddy, casting wistfid eyes upon the cool drink. "Well, you shall have some then," laughed Mamma, and Teddy and Pollv took their first refreshment on Italian shores. The little Beppo grinned at them, pulled a ragged cap from a mass of black, close curling hair, and, dropping his cciitcsiiiii (with which Mrs. Dar- ling had provided herself before leaving the steamer, at the purser's office) into his pocket, he began a merry whistle again and moved off in search of more custom. CHAPTER VII. THE DRIVE TO THE HOTEL. AS the hotel to which the Darhngs wished to go was located on one of the city heights, commanding a fine view of the bay and famous old Mount Vesuvius (about which our little couple had been told by Papa), the drive there from the dock was of course long enough to let them see a great many funny sights on the way, and you may be sure they were greatly impressed by them all. They saw men and women in Cjueer costumes of gay colors — the women without hats or bonnets — going about the streets, and sunning themselves in the doorwavs, combine their children's heads or their own untidy locks ; they saw them hanging out their washing on the backs of chairs right out in the street ; they saw a luomaii and a cozt' together pulling a big wagon; they saw a wee bit of a donkey harnessed with an ox, and both tugging at a cart as placidly as though they weren't a funny pair ; thev saw a cow, a horse, and a donkev, all three harnessed before a vegetable-cart, on which sat a driver "not e\'en as old as Teddy," the children were sure, though he mav have 1)een older than he looked, as so many of the poorer class of children in Naples are stunted in growth ; they saw a wee little bony donkey pulling a wagon which carried six big men and women in it, and they didn't think it was a bit cruel to put so heavy a burden on such a little beast. But our dear little tender-hearted couple thought it so cruel that thev could not even look at it after the first glance. They saw lots of little children in the street going about with great beautiful bunches of flowers — red, red roses and Italian violets ^ 29 30 HOW "a dear little couple went abroad. in their dirty little hands, rnnning- after carriages, and holding their fragrant wares up to the ladies and gentlemen who were driving about to see the city. Polly wondered why the people didn't want to keep the liowers, but kept shaking their heads no all the time. She knew she \vould keep them and say : "Thank you," very politely if any little girl or boy offered her any. And presently a small boy ran up to the carriage and held up his roses. Now, it chanced that Mamma and I-'apa were very busy at that moment searching for certain information in their guide-books, and so they did not notice the little tlower-boy, nor hear Miss Polly's delighted thanks as she took the flowers in her eager hands. The carriage was going very slowdy, and the expectant little Italian trotted alongside waiting for the coin which in her dear innocent heart Polly had no idea was wanted, for she was whispering to Teddy: "I think these Napelers are very kind and polite to us, don't a'Ou?" And she gravely proceed to divide her gift with her "chum." "Una lira! iiiui lira!" whined the im])atient lad outside, and at that Mamma looked up and discovered Polly's funny mistake. How she laughed, and Papa too ! How red Polly's cheeks grew ! Redder than her roses, which she thought had been a polite gift to her. "What does he mean?" Teddy asked, "saying all the time 'ooiier- lecrcr?" "He means that be wants one lira ( which means twenty cents of our money) fur his roses,'' replied Mamma, "and I will let 3'ou give him the money, dear," ]3assing it to Teddy, who felt very much like a gmwn-up man as he leaned over and dropped the price of Pollv's beau- tiful roses in the outstretched and very dirty little hand of the Italian. "I don't think Napelers are so polite and kind as I did," said Polly somewhat crossly, for, you see, she felt so astonished and so ashamed of lier mistake that it did make her a little cross with herself and the circumstances. However, when Teddy sweetly and with great gallantry pinned one of his share of the roses to Polly's jacket, she smiled her cross- ness out of sight, and ever3rthing was cheerful again. As they drove along the children saw many other curious things, and stored them "A small boy ran up to the carriage, and held up his roses." 31 3^ HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. away in their memories tu talk (jver together and tell to their little friends at iiome. Finally they arrived at the hotel, and were shown to their rooms, which overlooked the bay. Old Vesuvius, which had been through a state of fierce eruption (you all know about volcanos, of course, and must have heard about Mount Vesuvius, so that you will know what a volcanic eruption means, and I need not explain it here) some time before this, was now settling down into quite a calm state again, but that night after the sky had grown dark our little couple noticed the dull red glow on the cra- ter's head, and saw little thin streaks of fire down upon the side of the mountain nearest the bay ; and Papa told them all about the famous old mountain and its bad habits, and promised to take them to the ruins of the once beautiful and ancient city of Pompeii (I shouldn't wonder if r. little readers had studied about it in their geographies), and tell them of the way old Vesuvius went to work, long, long, long ago to de- stroy the city and its inhabitants bv throwing lava and liot ashes down upon it, on a day when everybody was happy, and careless, and little dreaming what was coming to them all. After looking out upon the shining waters of the bay, and seeing the pretty reflection of the stars in them by-and-by, and listening to the twinkling music of mandolins and the tuneful voices of the Italian street-singers awhile, our little Teddy and Polly went sleepily to bed, and never even had a dream, their slumber was so sound. M' CHAPTER VIII. AN EXCURSION. ANY a nice walk about the streets of Naples did our dear happy little couple take with Mamma and Papa, and into many a shop did they go, completely fascinated with the pretty goods displayed there. They longed to buy up everything they saw, and, if they had been allowed a larger portion of coin than Papa good-natur- edly gave them each day, I don't know how many wonderful things they would have purchased. They enjoyed the street scenes, too, as they walked along. The long-eared donkeys, which carried on either side of their short round backs such enormous and heavily loaded paniers that sometimes all you could see of the little animals were their slender legs, their long wag- ging ears, and their tails. But they didn't seem to mind their burdens at all, and plodded along thinking their own donkey thoughts, and no doubt wondering what Teddy and Pollv were laughing at them for ! And then there were the little shops where fruits were sold, and over the doorways of which were hanging great branches full of oranges and lemons, just as the boughs were broken from the trees fas we in our country, you know, like to break a bough hanging full of cherries from our cherry-trees). It was wonderful to Polly and Teddy to see such a sight, and to see, as they had seen at their meals in the hotel, those large oval lemons and the golden round oranges served to the hotel guests on the stems, with the clustering leaves adorning them. fYou don't see such things as those in New York, do you ?) Well, and then there were the beautiful gardens, rising one above 3 — Dear Little Couple Abroad. 0.3 34 now A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. the other in a bewildering" mass uf foliage of orange, lenicjn, and cjlive trees rich in fruit. Those gardens belonged to the wealthy class of Neapolitans, and their pretty dwelling-houses stood amongst the gar- dens on their terraces, overlooking the city like sentinels on the hills. There were queer streets — side streets they were — which con- sisted only of a series of stone steps running straight up hill, like steps dug out of a steep cliff-side; and along the sides of those "step-streets," as Teddy called them, were little bits of houses and shops scoo]:)ed out of the walls of the terraces and made comfortable, after a fashion, for those who lived in them, and who kept their tinv stores. Polly and Teddy looked up at them as the\' passed, and noticed that the stone steps — from top to bottom — were swarming with chil- dren, men, and women, and nearly all of them, even the wee little people, carried baskets and various burdens as easily on their heads as in their hands; and the strange part was that some of those bundles, which were poised so safely on the heads, would have made a fair load for a horse, so large were they. Another funny thing the little couple were greatly interested in was the sight of those peculiar decorations each horse, donkey, and cow, and even the oxen were wearing when in harness. It consisted of a long feather, as though from a rooster's tail, which was stuck securely over the animal's forehead, and waved and waggled to and fro as the animal walked along. When there was no feather to be seen, there was always a tuft of hair or a tuft of fur fastened in place either between the animal's ears or on the harness, and it was considered a very wrong thing if either of those peculiar decorations was forgotten when harnessing. Why? Well, because, unfortunately, the lower classes of Italians have many foolish superstitions, and that is one of them, for they fanc) that ";// luck" is kept off and the "evil eye" of misfortune turned aside by the use of the feathers, the hair, or the fur in the man- ner I have described. Pollv and Teddv agreed that \t was a very silly idea, and I'm afraid tliey didn't have much respect for the drivers of the animals they saw decorated in that absurd style. HOW A DEAR LITTI^E COUPT.E WENT ABROAD. 35 One da)^ I'apa and Mamma took l1ie children to llie island of Capri. They had seen the island from their windows rising out of the bay in the distance, and the guide-book told them that it would be a fine excursion on a fair day. So they started off one lovely morning in the little excursion boat that takes passengers to and fro between Naples and the island of Capri and other points of interest in the bay. I cannot take time to give all the particulars of the boat trip and its delights, but must tell you about the famous "Blue Grotto" which they reached before arriving at Capri. The "Blue Grotto" is a cave in the rocks of one of the cliffs, and T,h now "a dear lit'ilk couple" went abroad. when the waler is .sninclh a r(j\v-lji_>at. can lie jiadillcd through the low opening" which niakes the niouthi of the cave; hut in rungh weather nu boat can make the passage, as the opening is so very smalL The rock on one side of the ca\'e does not go to the bottom, 1)ut is onl}' sunken a httle way Ijeluw the water. S(.i the sunlight strikes down mider the ruck, as well as under the entrance hole, and is reflected tipwartls again thruugh the water in the ca\'e, which causes a wonilerful sih'cry light, and a beautiful pale Ijlue tint tu the water and the ruof of the cave. Visit(jrs to Capri alwa^'s stop at the "Blue Grotto" on the v.'ay, and when the big boat — the excursion boat — stops at that part of the cliff there are a crowd of men in little row-boats, waiting to take pas- sengers who wish to go into the cave and show them the wonders of it, for a small coin each passenger. So of course our little couple must see it, and sij must Mamma. Papa, who had seen it all once before (wdien he and iMamma had taken a trip alone, before Pollv could remember), did not go, f(jr the lioatman would only carry tliree passengers on the trip. You may imagine how thev enjoyed it, and when thev saw a boat- man from another boat jump o\'er into the water and si)lash about to show his passengers how like a silver blue water-sprite he C(5uld look the children gave one of their delighted whoops right there, and then nearly fell out of their own l)oat with fright at the ](jxv\ strange echo the caye gave back at their shout. Well, after the passengers returned from the cave, the steaml)oat went on its wa3^ and in due time the landing at Capri was made, and the passengers were told that they would have two hours of time in which to see eyer3'thing oi interest on the lieautiful island, before the boat sboulfl start nn to Sorrento { which is another cliarming resort not far from Capri). Such a crowd of donkcA' hn^-s and donkey girls as were on the dock when the steamboat stripped ! They were all yelling at one time, trying to cria.x passengers to use their donkeys or their cabs, and pay them so much per hour. Now, you see, Capri is a fiuiny sort of island, for it is "taller than .X4Elil 'The Blue Grotto of Capri." 37 38 HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. it is broad," as people say. It rises rigiit out of the bay in a lot of ter- raced cliffs, and as far up as yuu can see it is just a mass uf green gar- dens and woods. At the base of the island are the village streets, and odd little huuses, and shops and hotels, and at one of the hotels our party of four ate a good dinner, before taking a carriage up the mountain road to Anacapri, a funny little bit of a village right at the very top of the island. When the dinner was frnished Mamma and Papa took the back seat in the open little "victoria" (as the carriage A\as called, though it was very small and cramp}' in its proportions), and the little couple, gay as larks, and wide-eyed with wonder, sat close together on the small footstool of a seat in front of the "grown-ups," and with a crack of the whip (which the horse didn't even jump at, Ijecause he is so used to it, and best of all, because the "crack" is only in the air and not against his bony sides) tliey all started off for "Anacapri." I could tell you of a great many things they saw on the way, and of the natives they passed, who bobbed and curtsied to the travelers, and showed their white teeth, and held up their little brown babies, hop- ing for the gift of a coin or two. And I would like to describe the magnificent sight of the olive-gardens, and of the trees hanging full of lemons and oranges, and fif the beautiful flowering vines which grew by the roadside, and the shade trees, and particularlv of the grand sight which greeted their eyes with every turn of the winding road which brought the Bay of ISTaples (stretching itself far and wide and d()tted all over with odd little ships and boats) into view. But I must skip all those things, and get you at last with the dear little couple to the mite of a village mentioned as "Anacapri." From there our friends looked rig'ht down upon the bav and over at Naples, and if they had lieen little birds thev would have spread their wings and taken a good flv into the blue sunny space before them — at least, that is what Teddy whispered in Polly's ear he would like to do. CHAPTER IX. WHAT THEY SAW AT ANACAPRI, AND HOW THEY WENT ON TO SORRENTO AND POMPEII. W HEN the carriage stopped in the midst of the small houses at Anacapri, instantly a swarm of little boys and girls sur- rounded it. While the horse was resting, the small natives tared at our friends, and gazed especially hard and long upon Polly and Teddy, who felt quite shy and uncomfortable over the matter. They finally decided to give a few stares back again, and little bashful Polly ventured to smile, though she did n't have anything in particular to smile about. Teddy, seeing Polly smile, thought he ought to, and in a few moments every little Italian face was on the broad grin also. Mamma and Papa had been talking with the driver, who could speak a little broken English, but they were ready to notice the pretty brown faces of the children who stood beside the carriage, and now decided that Anacapri could boast of the good looks of its "small fry" with good reason. There was only one ugly-featured little boy in the crowd, and he was very ugly indeed, and not only that, but his hair was red, and his eyes very blue, and he was so fair of skin that his face was covered with freckles. He spoke Italian, however, like a native, and Papa wondered what sort of little red-haired native he might be. So he spoke to him in English, to see if the boy would comprehend. To his surprise he answered with a merry smile, and then, another surprise, a little fellow beside him spoke up also in English, and ex- plained that, though he was dark in complexion, and Italian all over, yet he was brother to the red-haired boy, who was Scotch; and that Jim's father was a Scotchman, and when he died his mother married an Italian whom she met in England, and when he died she was left poor, 39 40 HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. and through some friends in Anacapri had come there to Hve only seven months be- fore. He told all this in good, though of course childish and broken English, for he was only nine years old. Then Jim, the little Scotchman, put in his word, and when asked how they happened — in only a few months — to speak Italian like natives, when they had lived in other countries all their li\'es before, he replied, tossing his head proudly : "Oh, that ain't anythin'. Wc got it off the hoys here!" Of course all this was deeply interesting to Polly and Teddy, and they took a great fancy to the little brothers. But presently a boy who had not spoken before, uot know- ing English, put his hand in- side his shirt and pulled out a little brown bird. Holding it by both wee feet, he held it up, while its poor little lieart was beating and its tiny wings fluttering with fear. "Monic!" he said, and it was the only English word he cared to know — "monie !" and he pointed to the bird HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLe" WENT ABROAD. 4I and then to the sky. The Uttle couple looked wonderingly at him, and the Scotch boy explained that if Polly gave the boy a coin he would let the poor birdie fly away in safety. If he didn't get the coin, then he would take it home and his family would cook it for supper. That made our little couple indignant, and vexed also the Mamma and kind-hearted Papa. So he paid over a coin, and up, up, up into the sunny space above flew little birdie, and the children — our children — shouted with pleasure to see the poor captive free. But — what do you think came next? Why, that cruel boy put his hand inside his shirt again, and out came another bird, and with it the same request for "monie." Of course, he was frowned upon, and not another coin was given him, for Papa found he had a "launch of birds" hidden there to earn their freedom by coin-giving, at every chance offered, and as those same birds, after being freed, would be caught again in time, the outlook was discouraging, wasn't it? And now, the horse being rested, the part)- turned about to go back to the steamboat landing below, and to the small Scotchie and his Italian brother only did Mr. Darling give a farewell gift of coin, as they drove away and finally left the little village behind them. When they reached Sorrento a little while after, it was late in the afternoon, and Papa said they must spend the night there and go on by carriage to see the ruins of Pompeii the next day. It was a delightful experience to our little European travelers when they saw that the steamboat did not go close up beside the landing dock, as at Capri, but that the passengers were to be taken olT in small boats and rowed ashore. They could hardly wait their turn for it, but finally the blissful moment arrived, and the children were seated in the stern of the little boat, gliding over the blue waters. Oh! you have no idea how very blue and clear the water there really is. It is like beautiful azure blue ribbon, satin ribbon, and you feel as if you'd like to carry home bottles of it. But as it is the sunshine and the condition of the de]>ths of water and l)ottom of the bav all com- bined which produce that color there — you wntfld not be able to bottle it, would you? Well, when the landing was reached, the children had to lift their 42 HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. eyes tu a height un tup of a steep cliff wall before they could see the hotel m which the night was to be spent. "I never in the world, Teddy Terry, can climb up there!" said puzzled little Polly. But Ted thought it would be real fun to climb it, and was quite disappointed when i'apa pointed to a narrow railroad which ran up, up, up the cliff' through a tunnel beginning not far from where they had left the boat, "ft is called a 'funicular/ or, as the Italians call it, a 'fuiticolarc,' " explained Papa, "and the little car we are to enter presently is drawn up to the top of the cliff by a cable, a strong wire rope, \'ery thick and quite able to do its work safely, so you needn't look so frightened, little goosey," to Polly, for her eyes were full (if anxious wonderment, and she took tight hold of her Father's hand. "I'm n(.it a bit frightened." declared Teddv, Ijut I really think he was a tiny bit afraid, for he grasped the tail of Pa])a's coat pretty closely as they followed Mamma intn the little car, which seemed to be standing almost on end, and looked as though at any moment it might roll backwards down the incline. However, they arrived in good con- dition at the top before long, and were able to rest themseh'es and by- and-bv eat a good dinner in the fine h(.itel, which was located in the midst of a wonderful garden right there on top of the cliff. Next morn- ing they visited the little shops where Ijeautiful oli\'e-wood articles were sold, and Papa bought a fine ruler for Ted, and a dainty little clothes- brush (both of carved olive-wood) for Polly. Then it was time to dri^'e to Pompeii, and after a long, rather dusty drive down the mouniain road, tliev found themseh'es amongst the ruins of that ancient citv at last. Of course such little folks as Pollv and Teddv couldn't take quite as much interest in the old citv as grown-up visitors \\'ere taking, but they were quick to observe every- thing especiallv interesting: the ruts in the pa^'ed streets worn deeply l)y the wheels of the chariots used in those days (something like the chariots you ha\'e seen, no doubt, wdien Barnum's h\g circus comes along, and all little folks go to see it, of course) ; the ])ig flat stepping- stones in the streets, wliich were placed there so that people could have a clean, drv, and raised crossing from one side tO' the other (verv nice HOW A DEAR LITTLE COUPLE WENT ABROAD. 43 for rainy, muddy weather, wasn't it?) ; the bake ovens wliere loaves of bread were halving at the very moment the flood of hot cinders and lava came thickly down upon the city and destroyed it so suddenly and so soon ; the old drinking- fountains still bearing the worn impressions and dents made by the hands which used to rest upon the fountain ba- sins" so long ago. Papa explained that according to history the city was seven hundred years old when destroyed, and it lay over a thou- sand years under twenty feet of ashes. You see, the ashes cooled, and the lava hardened, and there was no sign of any citv there till all those many years had passed, and then by accident, history tells us, it was dis- covered that there was a city away down under all that earth (grass had grown over it in all that long time, and it looked like meadows). Then people set to work digging, and lo and behold ! uncovered so much of it that everybody flocked to see it. So that is how Pollv and Teddy at last got there, and people are still digging away, clearing more and more of the big city from the earth over it. Papa made it all very interesting to our little couple (and when they got home what did Teddy do but bury away down deep in his garden, in the deepest hole he could dig with his little spade, a whole toy village of Polly's, and cover it up, and pound the earth and grass over it again, and by-and-by play he was "discovering Pompeii" and set to work to excavate the little city again). CHAPTER X, BACK TO NAPLES, AND "HOMEWARD BOUND." WELL, after tliey had seen Pompeii, and looked at the curiosi- ties in the Httle museum of the oilice and station building near Ijy, our little couple felt very tired, and begged Papa to take them home. Polly's little golden head ached, and Tedtly's stocking had gotten into a wrinkle on his heel, and it hurt him to walk, and they Ijoth agreed that they didn't care one bit if "I'csnliz'iis" did cover old "Pompawy" all over with ashes and dirt. They wanted to go h(jme and rest Polly's head and Teddy's lame heel, and so Papa and Mamma confessed to being prettv tired also, and soon they were in the train, speeding rapidly towards Naples, ha\-ing hafl two days of "round trip excursion," and a "jolly good time," as the children expressed it. I would like to tell you about all the little couple did and all they saw while there fcir four happv weeks, but I must leave it all to your lively imagination, dear little readers, antl whatever beautiful times you imagine for the children you may l)e sure they had. Papa was oljliged to return to his business at home after a month of good times abroad, and so the flay came when the trunks were packed again, and the clock was being watched, and the hotel "bus" being listened fnr, etc., and our little cnuple again in baste to go on board the steamship, for, much as the\' had enjuved themselves, thev confided secretly to each other the grand truth that — "After all, they liked their own gardens and playtimes at home lots better'n European things, and that Bridgie and Ann made things taste nicer to eat than the queer coijks in Naples; and 'sides all tliat, they hadn't seen any tree 44 "I have almost kept my promise to my Mamma and tried to be a good boy." 45 4'> HOW "a dear little couple" went abroad. aL all thai was lialf so nice as tlicir own apijle-trce where they coiilil sit in amongst the leaves together, and — and — they gnessed 'Merican things were nicer for little boys and girls, any way!" Teddy had pnt into a sung turner of his small trnnk a few little gifts for "dear own Mamma and Papa," and a nice present for his Bridget and Polly's Ann. And Polly had carefully stowed away in iVIamma's trunk also sume pretty gifts for "yVuntie Terry and Ihicle Terry," and a present each for her Ann antl Teddy's Bridgie ; and the things they planned to do and the good times they planned t(i have when once more at their own pretty cottage homes, where the oh! applc-trcc and the much-lo\'ed gap in the fence near it were waiting for them I can't begin to tell you. We see them now — as they stand together with Teddy's loving arm about Polly, and her soft cheek pressed close to his — at the railing in the stern of the ocean liner, taking a farewell look at sunny Naples and Italian shores, and waving handkerchiefs to the men, women, and chil- dren in the small row-boats which were skipping about in the bay m the wake of the steamship, while shrill Italian voices were shouting: "Addio! addio!" "We've had the beautifullest time that ever could be, and we've liked being European tra\'elers e\'er so much, haven't we, Teddv Terry?" remarked Polly at last, as the children folhiwed Mr. Darling to their steamer chairs; "and I must sa)-," she added quite proudly, "that I think we've Ijeen such good children that some day maybe Papa'll take us to some other places. \\^)n't that lie fun?" Teddy thought it would, but he could not be so conscientiously sure of having Iieen as "good" as Polly fancied, for he had a distinct remembrance of certain occasions (of which I ha\'en't had the heart to tell my little readers) when Mamma Darling had had to scold pretty severely, and he had been more humiliated about it than Pollv, on accfiunt of his jiromise to his own MammrL Thinking it all over now, as he sat in his chair beside Mrs. Darling on deck, he suddenly drew her head down to him and earnestly whispered : "Sav, Atmtie, I have almost kept my promise to my Mamma and tried to be a good boy, HOW 'a dear little couple went abroad. 47 haven't 1? You see, 1 wouldn't like her to say 1 Ijruke my woril after she'd been and trusted me, you know, Auntie!" Mrs. Darling put a tender kiss on tlie soft little tanned forehead, and whispered back : "I'm goino- to tell Mamma Terry that her boy was the best-beha\'ed little traveler I ever saw, so cheer up, Teddy boy!" It was a very happy little laddie who settled back in that big steamer chair and slipped his hand into Polly's after "Auntie" had made her whispered speech. And now we must say good-bye to them, as the steamship speeds on towards America's shores, and I hope this story of more of the doings of our dear little couple will have given as much pleasure as your first account of them. The world is full of "Dear Little Couples," i.sn't it? %