THE CALL OF THE LAND 



which nodes of foreigners withstand Ameri- 

 can ideas is the presence among them of 

 many men and women who came here too 

 far advanced in years to learn English. 

 These form in each case a tough nucleus of 

 foreign life and manners. They hang to- 

 gether, doing all they can to foster their 

 vernacular and their national customs. 

 Children and grandchildren cannot but be 

 influenced thus. Even when knowing 

 English and free from prejudice against 

 American things, younger people sustain 

 the old language for the sake of the old peo- 

 ple, and otherwise, so far as interest and 

 convenience allow, aid and humor the aged 

 in their old country whims. 



This influence is decadent and must in the 

 not distant future cease to act. A German 

 lady in an eastern city had five bright chil- 

 dren, all of whom, being in school, talked 

 English beautifully, though they also spoke 

 German with equal ease. They did not like 

 German, however. That her own isolation 

 might be lessened, their mother used to 

 punish them till each promised always to 



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