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Leacock, Stephen, 1869-1944

"The Hohenzollerns in America"


"Don't let go the line, Miss Middleton,' I called. (Here
was an excellent piece of advice.)
"The girl's clear voice floated up to me... 'All right,
Mr. Smith,' she called, 'I won't.'"
Of course they landed safely at the foot of the cliff,
after the manner of all heroes and heroines. And here
it is that Kate in her turn comes out strong, at the
evening encampment, frying bacon over a blazing fire of
pine branches, while the firelight illuminates her leather
leggings and her rough but picturesque costume.
The circumstances might seem a little daring and improper.
But the reader knows that it is all right, because the
hero and heroine always call one another Miss Middleton
and Mr. Smith.
Not till right at the end, when they are just getting
back again to the confines of civilization, do they depart
from this.
Here is the scene that happens... The hero and heroine
are on the platform of the way-side depot where they are
to part... Kate to return to the luxurious home of her
aunt, Mrs. van der Kyper of New York, and the Air-and-Grass
Man to start for the pampas of Patagonia to hunt the
hoopoo. The Air-and-Grass Man is about to say goodbye.


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