It was the Fourth of July and we were at Melrose stopping at
the George Inn, while Mr. McPherson's family were at the Abbey Hotel
close to the old ruin. There were several Americans at our house, and
because of that the proprietor hung out our national flag. It was such a
lovely morning, and when I went into the street and saw the Stars and
Stripes waving in the English wind, I hurrahed with all my might and
threw up my cap in the air.
"'May I ask why you are making so much noise?' somebody said close to
me, and turning round I saw a lad about my own age, wearing a tall
stove-pipe hat, for he was an Eton boy.
"His manner provoked me quite as much as his words, it was so
overbearing, and picking up my cap, I said: 'Why, it's the Fourth of
July, and that is the Star-spangled Banner!'
"'Star-spangled fiddlestick!' he retorted, tapping the ground with the
tip of his boot.' And so you are a Yankee? I heard there was a lot of
them here.'
"'Yes, I'm a Yankee,' I replied; 'a genuine down-easter and proud of it
too, and who, are you?'
"'I? Why, I am Neil McPherson, an Eton boy, and my father is the Hon.
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