HOME-COMING 371 



of dignity while the secrets of his chest are laid 

 bare and the contents of his trunk dumped on 

 the dirty floor ? And how must his eyes droop 

 and his face take on a hang-dog look when his 

 second-best coat is searched for diamonds, and 

 his favorite (though worn) pajamas punched for 

 pearls. 



There are concessions to be made for one's 

 great and glorious country, and the custom-house 

 is one of them. Perhaps we will do better 

 sometime, and perhaps, though this is unlikely, 

 the customs inspectors of the future will dis- 

 guise themselves as gentlemen. We finally 

 passed the inquisition, and, with stuffed trunks 

 and ruffled spirits, took cabs for the station, 

 and were presently within the protecting walls 

 at Four Oaks, there to forget lost dignities in 

 the cultivation of land and new ones. 



