I say so to Prue, and my wife smiles.

“But why is it so impossible,” I ask, “if you go to Italy upon a magnolia branch?”

The smile fades from her eyes.

“I went a shorter voyage than that,” she answered; “it was only to Mr. Bourne’s.”

I walked slowly out of the house, and overtook Titbottom as I went. He smiled gravely as he greeted me, and said:

“I have been asked to invite you to join a little pleasure party.”

“Where is it going?”

“Oh! anywhere,” answered Titbottom.

“And how?”

“Oh! anyhow,” he replied.