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 content. Let us go on an excursion. I have seen so few of the sights of the city."

"You forget," Grace suggested, "that we have to go to the new apartment when the sledge comes."

"Why don't you take Mr. Thurber there with you?" asked Alice. "He knows a vast deal about apartments," laughing. "He helped us to select this one, four years ago. Then he will take you to the American store, which you really ought to see. Won't you, Mr. Thurber?"

Our new acquaintance professed himself ready to be made useful or agreeable in any way, and we, in return, uttered all the polite speeches which were necessary.

"But why should we go to the American shop?" I remonstrated. "We did not come to Russia to see American things."

"It will remind you so pleasantly of your own country," Mr. Thurber exclaimed, with the suspicion of a twinkle in his eye.

"I don't know that I care to be reminded of my own country."

My objections were unheeded, however; and the sledge being announced soon after, Grace and I took the back seat, Judith and our English friend placed themselves opposite, the footman jumped up on the step behind, and we started.

It took us but a few minutes to reach the house on the Nevsky Prospect, where we found Tom looking proudly around him, as though he already owned the property.