"Papa," asked little Elsie, "how long ago did people live in those houses so high up among the rocks?"
"Nobody knows just how long ago, my child," he replied, "but probably hundreds of years before Columbus discovered America."
The rest of the day was spent in the Midway Plaisance, a street three hundred feet wide, beginning at the rear of the Woman's Building, extending about a mile in length, and so full of interesting sights that one might tarry there many hours, and go again day after day, without wearying of them, but always finding something by which to be greatly entertained.
"A good and most entertaining place for the study of mankind," as Mr. Dinsmore remarked.
As they entered it the sound of the sweetly piercing music of a bagpipe smote upon their ears. "Ah," exclaimed Mr. Lilburn, "that sound is sweetly homelike to my ear. Let us see, my friends, to what sight it summons us."
"The Beauty Show, sir," said Herbert. "Probably you have all heard of it—some thirty or forty belles collected from different parts of the world and dressed in their national costumes."
They went in, passing the handsome Highlander playing the bagpipes at the door. They found the women who were on exhibition ranged in pens around a large room.
"Beauties!" sniffed Rosie as she glanced about upon them, "there is scarcely one who I should have selected as such."
"Hush, hush, Rosie!" said her mother warningly; "we do not know but some of them may understand English, and surely you would be sorry to hurt their feelings."
"Yes, I should indeed, mamma," she returned in a regretful tone, and they passed out.