The following story is said to have been taken from the secret archives of the Paris Police from the time of the Great Exhibition of 1889, several writers have told the story. It seems to have gone round the world. Here it is given for the first time in the form of conversation.
The story opens in Bombay. Captain Day, who was stationed in India, has just died leaving his wife and daughter of seventeen alone in India. Mrs. Day: At last, I have some good news for you, my dear. As you know, I was down at the officers’ mess for lunch to-day, and the general told me that his new assistant is willing to take over the house and all the furniture as well. Miss Day: I'm so delighted to hear it, mother. I never did think it was a good idea
Bombay
[bom'bei]
to take any of our things back to England with
Help = keep from
certain = some
Call at = stop at
Marseilles
[ma:’seilz]
us. I know you can't help thinking of daddy very often, but I'm glad we are leaving the things behind. You would be thinking of daddy, sitting there reading and writing, every time you looked at his desk.
Mrs. Day: Perhaps you are right, Joan, but you will understand that many of these things have a great sentimental value.
Miss Day: I understand, mother, but we have to begin life anew in England, and we shall do it ever so much better without all these things around you.
Mrs. Day: I'm sorry that, as soon as we get to England, it will be necessary to go across to Paris and sign certain papers in connection with your father's property. I should just like to go to England and stay there.
Miss Day: I have a very good idea, mother. Many of the boats call at Marseilles. I suggest that we get off the boat at Marseilles and take the train from there to Paris. Then you could sign the papers, and we could continue our journey to England. In fact, it would be just as quick as going by boat the whole way.
Mrs. Day: That is an excellent suggestion, Joan, and I think I'll go down to the shipping company in the morning to find out when the first boat is leaving for Marseilles.
A few weeks later at Marseilles.
Mrs. Day: I feel rather nervous about the hotel in Paris, Joan. From the papers I have been reading, it seems as if the whole world has come to Paris for the Exhibition. I remember once,
soon after we were married, your father and I stayed at the Crillon. I think we had better go along to the post-office and send a telegram for a double-room. It'll only be for one or two nights at the most. I'd like to stay longer so that you could see something of the Exhibition, but I have not been feeling very well for the last few days.
Miss Day: In that case it is much more important for us to get back to England as soon as possible. I am sure that, after a few weeks in the beautiful English countryside, you will begin to feel much better. And, mother, there will be other chances for me of seeing Paris later on.
I'm simply longing to
Crillon
[kri:jon]
(French name are here given with the pronunciation that an
Englishman would naturally use)
Simply = only
see my own country, and to visit the places that you and daddy come from. England is the place for me at the moment, just as much as it is for you.
