“It is extremely unlooked for,” replied his Aunt Caroline, and looked at Mr. Dod, who quailed, as if he were in some way responsible for it.  “I confess I am not in the habit of meeting my connections promiscuously abroad.”  When we came to analyse the impropriety of this it was difficult, but we felt as a family very disreputable at the time.  Mr. Dod radiated sympathy for us.  Poppa looked concerned.

“The fact is,” said he, “we ought to have called on you at your London residence, Aunt Caroline.  And if we had been able to make a more protracted stay than just about long enough, as you might say, to see what time it was, we would have done so.  But you see how it was.”

“Pray don’t mention it,” said Mrs. Portheris.  “It is very unlikely that I should have been at home.”

“Then that’s all right,” poppa replied with relief.

“London has so many monuments,” murmured Dicky Dod, regarding Mrs. Portheris’s impressive back.  “It is quite impossible to visit them all.”

“The view from here,” our relation remarked in a leave-taking tone, “is very beautiful, is it not?”

“It’s very extensive,” replied poppa, “but I notice the inhabitants round about seem to think it embraces the biggest part of civilisation.  I admit it’s a good-sized view, but that’s what I call enlarging upon it.”

“Come, Mr. Dod,” commanded Mrs. Portheris, “we must rejoin the rest of our party.  They are on the other side.”

“Certainly,” said Dicky.  “But you must give me your address, Mrs. Wick.  Thanks.  And there now!  I’ve been away from Illinois a good long time, but I’m not going to forget to congratulate Chicago on getting you once more into the United States Senate, Mr. Wick.  I did what I could in my humble way, you know.”

“I know you did, Richard,” returned poppa warmly, “and if there’s any little Consulship in foreign parts that it would amuse you to fill——­”

Mrs. Portheris, in the act of exchanging unemotional farewells with mamma, turned round.  “Do I understand that you are now a Senator?” she inquired.  “I had no idea of it.  It is certainly a distinction—­an American distinction, of course—­but you can’t help that.  It does you credit.  I trust you will use your influence to put an end to the Mormons.”

“As far as that goes,” poppa returned with deprecation, “I believe my business does take me to the Capitol pretty regularly now.  But I’d be sorry to think any more of myself on that account.  Your nephew, Aunt Caroline, is just the same plain American he was before.”

“I hope you will vote to exterminate them,” continued Mrs. Portheris with decision.  “Dear me!  A Senator—­I suppose you must have a great deal of influence in your own country!  Ah, here are the truants!  We might all go down in the lift together.”