Rollo in Paris | Page 3

Besides, he was always very peremptory and decisive, though
always just, in his treatment of Rollo, whenever he had him under his
charge. Rollo was, however, very glad when his father consented that
he and his uncle George might go to Paris together.
Mr. George was out that day, and he did not come home until Rollo had
gone to bed. Rollo, however, saw him early the next morning, and told
him what his father had said.
"Well," said Mr. George, after hearing his story, "and what do you
propose that we should do?"
"I propose that you, and Jennie, and I should go by the way of New
Haven and Dieppe," replied Rollo.
"Why?" said Mr. George.
"You see it is cheaper that way," said Rollo. "We can go that way for
twenty-four shillings. It costs two and three pounds by the other ways."
"That's a consideration," said Mr. George.
"For the pound you would save," said Rollo, "you could buy a very
handsome book in Paris."
Rollo suggested these considerations because he had often heard his
uncle argue in this way before. He had himself another and a secret
reason why he wished to go by the New Haven route; but we are all
very apt, when giving reasons to others, to present such as we think
will influence them, and not those which really influence us.
Mr. George looked into the guide book at the pages which Rollo

pointed out, and found that it was really as Rollo had said.
"Well," said he, "I'll go that way with you."
So that was settled, too.
A short time after this conversation, Rollo's father and mother, and also
Jennie, came in. Mr. Holiday rang the bell for the waiter to bring up
breakfast. Jennie, when she found that it was really decided that her
father and mother were to go one way, and her uncle George and Rollo
another, was quite at a loss to determine which party she herself should
join. She thought very justly that there would probably be more
incident and adventure to be met with in going with Rollo; but then, on
the other hand, she was extremely unwilling to be separated from her
mother. She stood by her mother's side, leaning toward her in an
attitude of confiding and affectionate attachment, while the others were
talking about the details of the plan.
"I rather think there is one thing that you have forgotten," said Mr.
Holiday, "and which, it strikes me, is a decided objection to your plan;
and that is, that the steamer for to-morrow, from New Haven, leaves at
midnight."
"That's the very reason why I wanted to go that way," said Rollo.
"Why, Rollo!" exclaimed his mother.
"Yes, mother," said Rollo. "There would be so much fun in setting out
at midnight. Think, Jennie!" added Rollo, addressing his cousin, "we
should sit up till midnight! And then to see all the people going on
board by the light of lanterns and torches. I wonder if there'll be a moon.
Let's look in the almanac, and see if there'll be a moon."
"But, George," said Mrs. Holiday, "you will not wish to set off at
midnight. I think you had better change your plan, after all."
But Mr. George did not seem to think that the midnight departure of the
boat was any objection to the New Haven plan. He had noticed that that

was the time set for leaving New Haven the next night, and he thought
that, on the whole, the arrangement would suit his plans very well. He
would have a good long evening to write up his journal, which he said
was getting rather behindhand. The water, too, would be more likely to
be smooth in the night, so that there would be less danger of
seasickness. Besides, he thought that both Rollo and himself would
become very sleepy by sitting up so late, and so would fall directly to
sleep as soon as they got into their berths on board the steamer, and
sleep quietly till they began to draw near to the coast of France. The
distance across the channel, at that point, was such, that the steamer, in
leaving at midnight, would not reach Dieppe till five or six o'clock the
next morning.
Accordingly, the arrangements were all made for Rollo's departure the
next day, with his uncle George, for New Haven. Jennie finally decided
to go with her father and mother. The idea of sailing at midnight
determined her; for such an adventure, attractive as it was in Rollo's
eyes, seemed quite formidable in hers. Rollo had a very pleasant ride to
New Haven, amusing himself all the way with the beauties of English
scenery and the continual novelties that every where met his eye. When