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Main > Fairy tale > All authors > Frank Baum > Fairy tale "Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad"

Aunt Jane's Nieces Abroad

"Tom is a nice boy."

"Quite right," agreed Uncle John. "I hope we shall meet no worse fellows

than Tom Horton."

At noon they were served a modest luncheon in their rooms, for Signor

Floriano, having sent his important papers to a place of safety, had

resolved to stick to his hotel and do his duty by any guests that chose

to remain with him in defiance of the existent conditions. He had

succeeded in retaining a few servants who had more courage than those

that had stampeded at the first alarm, and while the hotel service for

the next few days was very inadequate, no one was liable to suffer any

great privation.

During the afternoon the gloom grew denser than before, while thicker

than ever fell the rain of ashes. This was the worst day Naples

experienced during the great eruption, and Uncle John and his nieces

were content to keep their rooms and live in the glare of electric

lights. Owing to their wise precautions to keep out the heavily laden

air they breathed as little lava dust into their lungs as any people,

perhaps, in the city; but to escape all was impossible. Their eyes and

throats became more or less inflamed by the floating atoms, and the

girls declared they felt as if they were sealed up in a tomb.

"Well, my chickens, how do you like being abroad, and actually in

Europe?" enquired Uncle John, cheerfully.

Beth and Patsy smiled at him, but Louise looked up from the Baedecker

she was studying and replied:

"It's simply delightful, Uncle, and I'm glad we happened here during

this splendid eruption of Vesuvius. Only--only--"

"Only what, my dear?"

"Only it is such hard work to keep clean," answered his dainty niece.

"Even the water is full of lava, and I'm sure my face looks like a

chimney-sweep's."

"And you, Beth?"

"I don't like it, Uncle. I'm sure I'd prefer Naples in sunshine,

although this is an experience we can brag about when we get home."

"That is the idea, exactly," said Louise, "and the only thing that

reconciles me to the discomforts. Thousands see Naples in sunshine, but

few can boast seeing Vesuvius in eruption.

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