This was a yet harder question. Did he mean some administrative division of the country which she had never learned. Being unfamiliar with English political geography, she answered simply. "I don't know." This time it was the questioner who was surprised. But, even more gently than before, he inquired: "You don't know what state we are in?" "No, sir." There was a short silence. "Could you tell me," he inquired, always deferentially, "the name of the nearest town?" "Droitwich. I think we are in it now." "Droitwich?" "Yes, Droitwich." He repeated the name as if hearing it for the first time. "It must be a small place," he said. "I think it is." "What is the nearest town of importance;--the nearest city?" "Worcester." "Oh, Worcester! Thank you. I know Worcester. But I never heard of that other place,--this place,--Droitwich. How far are we from Worcester?" "About six miles, I think--six or seven." "Oh, really!" He seemed relieved. There was happy surprise in his tone. "Thank you. I am very much obliged. Good night." He walked away, out into the stream of light. Slowly he walked, carefully and with uncertain steps. A few yards away, however, he stopped, hesitated, then turned, came back and again stood beside her. "I beg your pardon for being so persistent, but may I ask you one more question, even more foolish than the others? This city of Worcester is in the State of Massachusetts, is it not?" "In the state of Massachusetts?" "Yes--that Worcester is the one you mean, is it not?" Now if this conversation had occurred in the United States the girl might have answered wisely, for she was more familiar with that country and knew something of its geography. But when such wide-of-the-mark questions were propounded in the heart of England they brought bewilderment. Moreover, they indicated an unbelievable ignorance or a wandering mind--or impertinence. Her frown, although invisible in the darkness, seemed to reach the traveler. "I beg your pardon, but I really have no idea where I am. Would you mind just telling me what part of the country we are in? Are we in Massachusetts?" His manner was earnest. The sincerity of his tone again inspired confidence--and awakened her sympathy. "I don't quite know how to tell you, but we are very far from Massachusetts." "Then what state _is_ this?" "I don't know just what you mean by state. The only state of Massachusetts I ever heard of is in America." "Isn't this America?"