CHAPTER XXVII. A CITIZEN OF NEBRASKA.
Three months later Bernard and Mr. Cunningham were domiciled in the Hotel Constance in Rome. They had taken a leisurely course from London, staying three weeks in Paris, visiting the interior of France, and spending some weeks in Switzerland and northern Italy. They had now been two weeks in Rome, and used the time to good advantage in visiting the art galleries and the ruins of the ancient city.
Bernard had enjoyed everything, and had managed to pick up some conversational Italian. To some extent he had acted as courier for Mr. Cunningham, who had always been accustomed to have things done for him. He found Bernard especially useful, as he had dismissed his servant at Milan. The latter was a stiff-necked Englishman, and was continually getting into trouble from his inability to adapt himself to foreigners and foreign ways.
“Are you ready to leave Rome, Bernard?” asked Walter Cunningham.
“Whenever you are,” answered Bernard promptly.
“Of course we have not seen all or even a small part of the things worth seeing, but I am tired of sightseeing. I have thought that an independent excursion in our own carriage, not following any prescribed course, but halting where the fancy seizes us, would be enjoyable.”
“I should like nothing better,” said Bernard enthusiastically. “In what direction do you propose to go?”
“In the general direction of Naples.”
“I am told by an American, who is a guest at this hotel, that there are several routes.”