my first week here, and I know every wicked deed everybody as done since
1812!"

She went back to her counter. It had been very merry; and as I was
settling the small debt for my lunch I asked: "Since this is the proper
place for information, will you kindly tell me whose wedding that cake is
for?"

She was astonished. "You don't know? And I thought you were quite a
clever Ya-- I beg your pardon--Northerner.

"Please tell me, since I know you're quite a clever Reb--I beg your
pardon--Southerner."

"Why, it's his own! Couldn't you see that from his bashfulness?"

"Ordering his own wedding cake?" Amazement held me. But the door opened,
one of the elderly ladies entered, the girl behind the counter stiffened
to primness in a flash, and I went out into Royal Street as the curly
dog's tail wagged his greeting to the newcomer.



III: Kings Port Talks

Of course I had at once left the letters of introduction which Aunt
Carola had given me; but in my ignorance of Kings Port hours I had found
everybody at dinner when I made my first round of calls between half-past
three and five--an experience particularly regrettable, since I had
hurried my own dinner on purpose, not then aware that the hours at my