After several days of sight-seeing in and around Naples, which had included trips to Vesuvius and to Amalfi, Mr. Fairfield called a council of war to decide upon further plans.
“I’ve passage engaged, as you know,” he said, “for December first. This will get us home about the middle of the month, and give us a little time to get our breath before the Christmas holidays. But if you two girls prefer, we can change our tickets and stay here till the fifteenth.”
“That wouldn’t get us home by Christmas Day,” said Patty, thoughtfully.
“No, we’d be on the Atlantic on Christmas. But we must take one steamer or the other.”
“Well, I’ll leave it to Nan,” said Patty; “but personally, I’d hate to spend Christmas on an ocean liner! It doesn’t seem patriotic.”
“I agree to all that,” said Nan. “I love Naples, but I’d rather go next week, and so be home in time to look after a little Christmas celebration of some sort, than to stay here longer.”
“All right, then,” said Mr. Fairfield. “My inclinations are to go on the first. So we’ll consider it settled, and put in all the fun we can these few days that are left.”
So the three spent the rest of the time in seeing Naples thoroughly. They visited the Aquarium, and the Royal Palace, and the National Museum. They visited Capri, and they drove out to Posilipo, and Camaldoli; and every day they grew more fond of the beautiful environs that surrounded Naples. But their thoughts began to turn to home and Christmas, and reunion of friends, and delightful as their pleasure trip had been, it was with a satisfied feeling in their hearts that they at last went aboard the great steamer that was to land them in New York.
“Good-by, beautiful Italy,” said Patty, waving her handkerchief as they steamed away. “I’ll come back some time,—but I think not very soon. I’m a bit homesick for my ain countree.”