"I am going to take my daughter home again," said my father-in-law, and started toward the stateroom.
I besought him to leave the decision to her, and for the next ten minutes I pleaded my case with all the eloquence I could command.

I was talking against odds, for my wife, as well as her parents' friends, were all ardent Southerners, and I am proud to say that after fifty years of married life, she is still as strongly "Secesh" as ever.

But when I put the case to her she said gamely that she had taken me for better or for worse and intended to stick to me.
She was in tears when she said good-by to her parents and friends, and still in tears after they had left.

I tried to comfort her with assurances that when we came among Northern people I would not be regarded as such a desperate character, but my consolation was of little avail.

At dinner the hostile stares that were bent on me from our neighbors at table did not serve to reassure her.