IRocfcg IRoaDsfDe 



you don't look like tramps ? " We were still un- 

 moved to speak, which was really uncivil on our 

 part; but when we had passed some distance 

 down the road, I called back : " On a scientific 

 expedition ! " and we heard in reply a faint gurgle 

 which we all thought might have been " Golly ! " 

 The farmer was forgotten before the next house 

 was reached. We saw, while yet afar off, that 

 there was a well in the front yard, and, like un- 

 yoked oxen, we broke into a trot. We did not 

 ask permission to drink, but opened the yard gate 

 and passed in as though lords of that manor, and 

 evidently no such ceremony was expected, for a 

 tumbler was offered as soon as we halted and had 

 sent the bucket plunging into the cool depths. 

 To the good woman's surprise, we all courteously 

 declined the glass, and how could we do other- 

 wise when we saw the half of a cocoanut chained 

 to the curb. Thank Heaven ! at times we can 

 forget about microbes. Why is it that even in 

 such trivial matters the simplicity of the country 

 proves so attractive ? The geologist handled the 

 shell as if it was the most delicate porcelain, when 

 it could have been rolled down the mountain un- 

 harmed. Why should we be above country ways ? 

 Why, indeed, should any one? They are ways 

 to which all desirable adjectives are rightly at- 

 tached, and this is very far from being true of all 

 city ways. It was no compliment to be taken for 

 a man of the town, when all my life I have been 

 171 



