instant. Are they fighting or--"

"No; they are merely talking. Don't you know, dear, that there is never
a fight until both sides have talked themselves out of breath? We shall
have six months of talk and a week or two of fight, just as they always
do nowadays."

"Oh, you Americans have such a comfortable way of looking at things,"
cried the princess. "Don't you ever see the serious side of life?"

"My dear, the American always lets the other fellow see the serious side
of life," said Beverly.

"You wouldn't be so optimistic if a country much bigger and more
powerful than America happened to be the other fellow."

"It did sound frightfully boastful, didn't it? It's the way we've been
brought up, I reckon,--even we southerners who know what it is to be
whipped. The idea of a girl like me talking about war and trouble and
all that! It's absurd, isn't it?"

"Nevertheless, I wish I could see things through those dear gray eyes of
yours. Oh, how I'd like to have you with me through all the months that
are to come. You would be such a help to me--such a joy. Nothing would
seem so hard if you were there to make me see things through your brave
American eyes." The princess put her arms about Beverly's neck and drew
her close.

"But Mr. Lorry possesses an excellent pair of American eyes," protested
Miss Beverly, loyally and very happily.