Now there was only one subject capable of entirely upsetting this young lady’s equanimity; and it is almost a pity to have to introduce it here; for the confession must be made that, on this one subject, she was in the habit of using very reprehensible language. Where, indeed, she had picked up so much steamboat and backwoods slang—unless through the reading of _Texas Siftings_—it is impossible to say; but her father, who was about the sole recipient of these outbursts, could object with but little show of authority, for he was himself exceedingly fond, not exactly of slang, but of those odd phrases, sometimes half-humorous, that the Americans invent from day to day to vary the monotony of ordinary speech. These phrases are like getting off the car and running alongside a little bit; you reach your journey’s end—the meaning of the sentence—all the same. However, the chief bugbear and grievance of Miss Carry Hodson’s life was the Boston girl as displayed to us in fiction; and so violent became her detestation of that remarkable young person that it was very nearly interfering with her coming to Europe. ’But, pappa, dear,’ she would say, regarding the book before her with some amazement, ’will the people in Europe think I am like _that_?’ ’They won’t think anything about you,’ he would say roughly. ’What a shame—what a shame—to say American girls are like _that_!’ she would continue vehemently. ’The self-conscious little beasts—with their chatter about tone, and touch, and culture! And the men—my gracious, pappa, do the people in England think that our young fellows talk like _that_? "Analyse me; formulate me!" he cries to the girl; "can’t you imagine my environment by the aid of your own intuitions?"—I’d analyse him if he came to me; I’d analyse him fast enough: Nine different sorts of a born fool; and the rest imitation English prig. I’d formulate him if he came to me with his pretentious idiotcy; I’d show him the kind of chipmunk I am.’ ’You are improving, Miss Carry,’ her father would say resignedly. ’You are certainly acquiring force in your language; and sooner or later you will be coming out with some of it when you least expect it; and then whether it’s you or the other people that will get fits I don’t know. You’ll make them jump.’ ’No, no, pappa, dear,’ she would answer good-naturedly; for her vehemence was never of long duration. ’I have my company manners when it is necessary. Don’t I know what I am? Oh yes, I do. I’m a real high-toned North Side society lady; and can behave as sich—when there’s anybody present. But when it’s only you and me, pappa, I like to wave the banner a little—that’s all.’