Sometimes the ladies amuse themselves by studying the fire while the men find their way to their couches, where they gallantly turn their faces to the wall, and permit the ladies to don their _robes de nuit_.
Notwithstanding the scarcity of accommodations, the traveler seeking a meal or resting-place will rarely meet a refusal.

In New York or New England, one can journey many a mile and find a cold denial at every door.

In the West and Southwest "the latch-string hangs out," and the stranger is always welcome.

Especially is this the case among the poorer classes.
Springfield is the largest town in Southwest Missouri, and has a fine situation.

Before the war it was a place of considerable importance, as it controlled the trade of a large region around it.