"Thank God, he's a general," whispered the Watermelon into the small ear of Billy.
"To thoroughly appreciate a car, you should take a trip of a week or two," said Bartlett, not glancing at the Watermelon, apparently talking to the general alone. "There is nothing like it. It has revolutionized travel. Have you ever done it, General, spent a month, a week, at least, in your car, going where you wanted, stopping as long as you wanted and as often?"
Assured that Alphonse was attending to the gasolene, the general withdrew his invaluable supervision and turned to the others.
"We spent a week in the car last summer, and we intended to do it again this year, but have somehow put it off."
"It's perfectly delightful," said Henrietta. "You wonder how you ever tolerated a train."
"It is tramping idealized," declared Bartlett.
"It's dandy," cried Billy. "Daddy, do you remember that time we went from Maine straight down the coast to Maryland?"
The general turned to the Watermelon. "I suppose you have grown tired of it," said he, "A young unmarried man can go when and where he wants."
"Oh, I've been around some," admitted the Watermelon modestly. "But never in a car."
"You should try it, my dear sir," said Bartlett. "Upon my word, you have no idea how fascinating it is."