It was a new experience to the girls, this seeking a temporary home at a public hotel, and the unpleasant features of hotel life, to which older travellers shut their eyes, were to them unbearable.

Entering the parlor of the hotel to which he had been directed, Lancy told the girls to be seated while he saw the proprietor; but the expression on the faces of both girls gave Lancy some uneasy feelings, and Dexie’s uplifted nose told the cause of her disapproval.

“It will be no use for you to engage rooms here, Lancy,” said she, “for if all smells like this we won’t stay.”

“Well, I will just order a lunch, and we can decide about rooms later on.”

This was found to have been a wise precaution, as the disgusting fumes of stale tobacco-smoke and liquor, seemed to pervade every corner.

“It’s no use being too particular, girls,” said Lancy, as they rose from the table, and re-entered the parlor, “we will not be here but a day or two, you know.”

“Well, but surely we can find some other place to stay in while we are here.  We don’t want to appear at Mrs. Fremont’s with our clothes smelling like a bar-room!” said Dexie, rather sharply.

“Well, no doubt the next hotel will suit us better,” and a few minutes later they entered its door.

But it was quite evident, even to Lancy, that they had not bettered their condition by going farther.  The house had probably been very popular the day before, and there was an air of confusion about the place that added its unpleasantness to the atmosphere that must be breathed by those that sought the hospitality of the house.  Elsie looked timidly around the parlor as she entered, as if expecting to see the ghosts of those who had offered up so much incense; but the room was vacant, all having departed, leaving behind a disagreeable reminder of their presence.

“We are just as badly off as ever,” Elsie whispered timidly to Dexie.  “It is not very much better, is it, Dexie?”

“No, I should say not.  The very curtains are full of it.  How can people bear it!  Tobacco-smoke and rum!  Do let us get out of here, Lancy, before anyone comes in!”

“Hush, Dexie!  Someone will hear you.”

“No danger! but do let us run before they see us here.”

“But we must stay somewhere, Dexie,” said Lancy.  “What shall we do?”

Dexie felt provoked at their unpleasant position, and she replied in no gentle tone.

“Do!  Well, I think if nothing better is to be obtained in the town, we will do as some of our ancient ancestors have done before us, we will ’lodge without, in the streets,’” and gathering up the wraps she walked out of the house, closely followed by Elsie, and more uncertainly by Lancy.

The case was becoming serious, but it had its ludicrous side as well, which reached its height when Dexie stood on the sidewalk in front of the hotel.  Throwing the wraps over her left arm, she raised her right hand high toward heaven, and exclaimed in dramatic tones: