friend of your father's. He wears a watch to this day that Mr. Madison
gave him. He always expressed regret that he never met your mother,
but she seemed to have an unconquerable aversion to politics."

"And they met at Chamberlin's!" exclaimed Betty, with a delighted
laugh. "It will be the last straw--my having gone into dinner with the
son of one of papa's hated boon companions. My mother is a lovely
intelligent woman," she added hastily, "but she is intensely Southern
and conservative. Her great pride is that she never changes a standard
once established."

"Oh, that's a very safe quality in a woman. But of course you have a
right to establish your own, and I am glad it points in our direction.
And anything you want to know I'll be glad to tell you. Can't I take
you up to the Senate to-morrow and put you in our private gallery?
There ought to be some good debating, for North is going to attack an
important bill that is on the calendar."

"I will go; but let me meet you there. I must ask you to call in due
form first, as my poor mother must not have too many shocks. Will you
come a week from Sunday?--I am going to New York for a few days."

"I will, indeed. If I were unselfish, I should let you listen for a
few minutes, for they are all talking politics; not bills, however,
but the possibility of war with Spain. I don't think I shall, though.
Tell me what you want to know and I will begin our lessons right
here." "Why should we go to war with Spain?"

"Oh dear! Oh dear! Where have you been? There is a small island off
the coast of Florida called Cuba. It has many natives, and they are