"But Martha has a sense of humor, don't
you think?"
"I never thought anything about it. But what are you going to do about
that bill?"
"I'm going to argue about it, and declare I won't pay it, and then pay
it like a true American. Would you have me upset the traditions? But
I've got to go to the bank first."
I did just as I said. I argued to no avail. Mrs. Black was quite
haughty, and made me feel like a chimney-sweep. I paid her in full,
and when I came up I said:
"You are quite right. She has a poor opinion of us. When I asked her
how long it would take to drive to a house in West End, she said, 'Why
do you want to know?' I said I 'wanted to see the house.'"
"Didn't you tell her we were _invited_ there?" asked my sister,
scandalized.
"No; I said I had heard a good deal about the house, and she said it
was open to the public on Fridays. So I said we'd go then."
"I think you are horrid!" cried Bee. "The insolence of that woman! And
you actually think it is funny! You think _everything_ is funny."
I soothed her by pointing out some of the things which I considered
sad, notably English people trying to enjoy themselves.
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