“This Guild examined every aspirant to the title of Master Craftsman, and without a certificate signed by ten of the jurors of the Guild, he dared not establish himself; their regulations were very strict so as to protect art, consequently but few atrocities were cast upon the market of France for more than two hundred years after the founding of this protective Guild.”
“Well, it’s too bad we haven’t a Guild in America,” said Polly, her tone causing her friends to laugh heartily.
CHAPTER IX—MR. ALEXANDER’S SURPRISE
The next day Mr. Fabian conducted his girls to various cathedrals and famous buildings in the city, and that night they returned to the hotel to find little Mr. Alexander standing in front of it waiting for them.
“I’ve got turrible news for you-all,” said he in a most lugubrious tone. His face expressed the greatest sorrow and concern.
“My goodness, Pa! What’s the matter?” cried Dodo, anxiously.
“It’s worse than you-all can reckon, so I’ll tell you. This afternoon when I come back from a little joy-ride, I saw a dandy little car out here, but when I took a good squint at it I saw it were a Packard Roadster. At that, my legs began to shake and I feared Maggie might have come over, in spite of my wire to her.
“And then, before I could get courage to go indoors, I heard her voice. I tried to hide behind that big pillar, there, but no use! So, Dodo, your Ma’s here and is in the parlor talking to Count Chalmys.”
As everyone had expected to hear dire news, the relief upon hearing that Mrs. Alexander had arrived was so great that it caused a general laugh. Nancy Fabian turned and asked of the little millionaire: “How did your wife meet the Count?”
“Oh, I figgered that she would be so glad to know a real live Count, that I saved my own head that way. She won’t remember my misdeeds now,” softly laughed Mr. Alexander.