“O, that was Dorothy Appleton,” said Hilary, “but we aren’t supposed to think of anything but getting out as quickly as possible. Of course it was rather thoughtless to pick up a pen and leave your money when it was right there by the pen.”
“We’ll take in a little of the city tomorrow,” said Hilary, as she escorted her guests to their room. “Mother has good help engaged and says that I am to have a good time with you. I haven’t been home enough since we came here to know the city myself yet and shall enjoy the sights as much as you will. Some of the time Father will go with us, or Gordon and Tommy. I think June knows her way around, too.”
The next morning, Dr. Lancaster offered himself as guide and took them all to the “Zoo” first, where they spent a good part of the morning. Although the birds and animals were in winter quarters, it was most interesting. The “Zoo-Eden” car again took them to the Rookwood Pottery, for which Cincinnati is famous, past the Art Museum, for which they wanted more time. The Pottery is a fascinating place and the girls viewed the beautiful specimens of its work, and watched the potter at his wheel while the different processes were explained by a guide.
By the time the round at the pottery was completed, it was time for lunch. “Down the dizzy incline, girls,” said Hilary, pointing to the Mt. Adams inclined plane near at hand.
“My, do we go down those tracks?” inquired Virginia.
“The street car goes on a big platform which is kept on the tracks and pulled up or let down by cables. It does look as if you are running out on the jumping off place! But they keep it in repair and folks don’t seem to think anything of it.”
June pointed out the river and the Kentucky towns on the other side as the car went down. “The bridge looks so pretty at night,” said she, “and all the lights of the town on the other side, as you look out.”
“Mercy, I do feel so citified,” whispered Virgie to Isabel, as they followed Hilary into the dining room of one of the large stores. “Is it only a few months ago that I was out on a North Dakota ranch and had never seen nor heard of you girls?”
“After lunch,” said Dr. Lancaster at the table, “I shall take you to the top of the Union Central building and then leave you to your own devices while I go down to the Methodist Book Concern on business. Do you think you can take the right car home, Hilary?”
“If she can’t, I can,” offered June.