Well, in that steamboat we reached New York, warm, restless, and nigh about ready to give out, or take a friendly sunstroke and be peaceably carried away to a cool vault in some shady graveyard.
I mentioned this alternative to Cousin Dempster, but he shook his head and answered that some of us might find ourselves waking up in a more uncomfortable place than the streets of New York; which I thought impossible, but said nothing.
Well, we had a few hours to stay in the city before a boat would be ready to take us to Saratoga Springs—a name that sounded so cool and refreshing, that I longed to get there and breathe again.
Cousin E. E. said, when we went ashore:
"Phœmie," says she, "there are a few hours before us; suppose we go a-shopping? I want ever so many things. Saratoga is a dressy place, and I haven't a thing to wear."
Then, before I could object, says she to Dempster:
"A check, my dear, or if you have the funds on hand."
Dempster gave a sigh that shook his manly bosom through and through, and says he:
"There," drawing a roll of bank bills from his vest pocket, "will that do?"
E. E. unrolled the bills and sorted them out.