By the time these observations had been made Mrs. Hyde joined them; and after speaking kind congratulations to Allan, and inviting him to attach himself to their party, she warned the children of the approach of dinner, and requested them to prepare for it.
Allan was very grateful to Mrs. Hyde for her kindness, and thanked her politely. He travelled with her to his aunt's door, and was such a gentlemanly, companionable boy that they all became very much attached to him. It would be pleasant to take the trip from Hamburg to the western coast with our party; but that is impossible, as Eric has considerable journeying to do in another direction, and we are to accompany him. But the voyage was a pleasant one, and the children saw and learned many new and wonderful things before they reached their destination. We must not forget that little Froll left Hamburg snugly packed in a cage, and intrusted to mauma's care for the voyage. She was quite a favorite aboard the vessel, and made much merriment by her absurd pranks, and at Hague was safely landed, and transported to the hotel.
At Hague, too, the Hydes and Allan Ramsdell left the vessel, after a sorrowful parting with Mr. and Mrs. Nichols and Herbert and Adele.
It would seem strange to us to hear our native city called "the Boston," and stranger still to hear the staid old capital called by more names than one.
Eric, and Allan, and Nettie were quite confused in the capital of Holland by the variety of names given it.
"Hague," "The Hague," and "La Haye" they had heard, but upon their arrival they found its inhabitants calling it "_Gravenhaag_," which, Mrs. Hyde explained, meant "The Count's Meadow."
"What a comical place!" Nettie exclaimed, as they glided along through "canal streets" to the hotel. "Mamma, if our streets were like these, wouldn't you fret for our precious necks every time we looked out of a window? And I don't suppose you would ever let us go out to play, for fear we'd drown."
"Still, it is very pleasant gliding under these shady trees; and if you look about, my dear, you will see there are also carriage roads, with sidewalks."
"Yes," said Eric; "we've passed several."
"I like these boat roads best," said Allan, "they are so novel."