“As I have told you, O Great Man,” continued Mrs. Spring Fragrance, “I desire to write an immortal book, and now that I have learned from you that it is not necessary to acquire the ‘divine right of learning’ in order to accomplish things, I will begin the work without delay. My first subject will be ‘The Inferior Woman of America.’ Please advise me how I shall best inform myself concerning her.” Mr. Spring Fragrance, perceiving that his wife was now serious, and being easily mollified, sat himself down and rubbed his head. After thinking for a few moments he replied: “It is the way in America, when a person is to be illustrated, for the illustrator to interview the person’s friends. Perhaps, my dear, you had better confer with the Superior Woman.” “Surely,” cried Mrs. Spring Fragrance, “no sage was ever so wise as my Great Man.” “But I lack the ‘divine right of learning,’” dryly deplored Mr. Spring Fragrance. “I am happy to hear it,” answered Mrs. Spring Fragrance. “If you were a scholar you would have no time to read American poetry and American newspapers.” Mr. Spring Fragrance laughed heartily. “You are no Chinese woman,” he teased. “You are an American.” “Please bring me my parasol and my folding fan,” said Mrs. Spring Fragrance. “I am going out for a walk.” And Mr. Spring Fragrance obeyed her. IV “This is from Mary Carman, who is in Portland,” said the mother of the Superior Woman, looking up from the reading of a letter, as her daughter came in from the garden. “Indeed,” carelessly responded Miss Evebrook. “Yes, it’s chiefly about Will.” “Oh, is it? Well, read it then, dear. I’m interested in Will Carman, because of Alice Winthrop.” “I had hoped, Ethel, at one time that you would have been interested in him for his own sake. However, this is what she writes: