- That for true culture
one must look to Europe? After all, America is a bit crude, isn't
it, now? Of course some time, say in two or three years from now,
they will run across to the States again, but it will be for a
short visit only. After Europe one can never be entirely happy
elsewhere for any considerable period of time. And so on and so
forth.
But as you mention in an offhand way that Cedar Bluff has a modern
fire station now, or that Tulsanooga is going to have a Great White
Way of its own, there are eyes that light up with a wistful light.
And when you state casually, that Polkdale is planning a civic
center with the new county jail at one end and the Carnegie Library
at the other, lips begin to quiver under a weight of sentimental
emotion. And a month or so later when you take the ship which is
to bear you home, you find a large delegation of these native sons
of Polkdale and Tulsanooga on board, too.
At least we found them on the ship we took. We took her at Naples
- a big comfortable German ship with a fine German crew and a double
force of talented German cooks working overtime in the galley and
pantry - and so came back by the Mediterranean route, which is a
most satisfying route, especially if the sea be smooth and the
weather good, and the steerage passengers picturesque and
light-hearted. Moreover the coast of Northern Africa, lying along
the southern horizon as one nears Gibraltar, is one of the few
sights of a European trip that are not disappointing. For, in
fact, it proves to be the same color that it is in the geographies
- pale yellow. It is very unusual to find a country making an
earnest effort to correspond to its own map, and I think Northern
Africa deserves honorable mention in the dispatches on this account.
Chapter XXV
Be it Ever so Humble
Homeward-bound, a chastened spirit pervades the traveler. He is
not quite so much inclined to be gay and blithesome as he was
going. The holiday is over; the sightseeing is done; the letter
of credit is worn and emaciated. He has been broadened by travel
but his pocketbook has been flattened. He wouldn't take anything
for this trip, and as he feels at the present moment he wouldn't
take it again for anything.
It is a time for casting up and readjusting. Likewise it is a
good time for going over, in the calm, reflective light of second
judgment, the purchases he has made for personal use and gift-making
purposes. These things seemed highly attractive when he bought
them, and when displayed against a background of home surroundings
will, no doubt, be equally impressive; but just now they appear
as rather a sad collection of junk.
