UNITED STATES AND CANADA 247 



and was not paying any attention to our conversa- 

 tion. 



" Thank you," said Joseph. " She is a dear 

 creature — and then her family is so tip-top, you see. 

 Old Knickerbocker stock, sir ! Ancestors came 

 over to America in the Plymouth Rock, and landed 

 at Mayflower, I understand." 



" And how did you leave her Pilgrim Father ? " 

 I inquired. 



" Endicott ! Oh, he was in capital health and 

 spirits, having just married his daughter to me" 

 crowed Mr. Chamberlain. " I've invited him to 

 come along with us to Europe, and be introduced 

 to a Duchess or two ; but his wife thinks it might 

 corrupt his Democratic morals, so he probably 

 won't." 



I considered for a moment, and then said : 



" You are as firm as ever on the Union, I pre- 

 sume ? " 



" Firmer, if anything," said Mr. C. " Look at 

 our Union, for example. Do Mary and I desire 

 Separation, and would it be good for us if we did ? 

 No, sir ! " 



" But it is not a question of Separation," I re- 

 marked. " It is one of Home Rule. Surely, Mrs. 

 Chamberlain is a little bit of a Home Ruler in her 

 way ? " 



Joseph flushed like a peony — like an M.P.-ony, 

 in fact. 



" Pooh, sir ! " he said. " Nothing of the sort. 

 She knows my political principles too well to dream 

 of such a thing." 



