If there is one thing which causes unbearable anguish to a true
American girl it is to find herself wanting something "right away"
which she cannot have. But luckily for her country's peace, her
lovers' happiness, this occurs seldom.
"What is the nearest place in Italy where Lord Lane could get a
donkey?" she asked.
"It is possible that he might be able to buy or hire one at Airolo,"
said our landlord. "At one time they had them there, for the railway
works, and mules also. But now I do not----"
"We can go there and see," said Molly.
"Airolo's on the other side of the St. Gothard, and automobiles aren't
allowed on the Swiss passes," remarked Jack.
This, to me, sounded final, so far as Airolo was concerned, but not so
with the Honourable Mrs. Winston!
"What do they do to you if you _do_ go?" she asked, turning slightly
pale.
"They fined an American gentleman who crossed the Simplon in his
automobile last year, five thousand francs," answered Herr Widmer.
"Oh!" said she. "So an American did go over one of the passes? Well,
thank you _so_ much; we must decide what to do, and talk it over with
you again later. Meanwhile, we're very happy, for it's lovely here."
Hardly had the door of the sitting-room closed on our host, when
Molly, with the air of having a gun-powder plot to unfold, beckoned us
both to come near. "I'll tell you what we'll do," said she, in a
half-whisper, when surrounded by her body-guard of two.
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