"We're not made of money but we have it," retorted Roger. "Even workmen have hot-water heaters in their houses."
From Edith's face it was plain that she frankly didn't believe him and
Win tried to make matters better.
"You see, Edith," he explained, "it is much more difficult in the United States to get satisfactory servants and so we have all sorts of clever mechanical devices that make it easier to manage with fewer maids."
Edith's brow cleared. "Oh, I see," she said. "I thought there must be some reason. Of course, if we needed them, we would have such arrangements in England."
"England," declared Roger bluntly, "in ways of living is about two hundred years behind the United States!"
"Roger!" exclaimed the shocked Frances.
"Cut it out!" ordered Win.
"It's true, anyway," retorted the annoyed Roger, "and there's another thing. We licked England for keeps in the Revolutionary War!"
"Only because you were English yourselves!" flashed Edith before
Roger's scandalized family could remind him of his forgotten manners.
This retort disconcerted Roger and delighted Win.