CHAPTER VI.

OFF FOR THE CONTINENT.

Monday morning was bright and clear, and Mr. Ford said, "This looks like a pleasant crossing of the Channel."

The ride in the cars to Dover was very interesting, and the view of Canterbury Cathedral was quite fine.

Quite a large boat was waiting for the train, and the water looked so smooth Alice said,--

"I guess the people who are sick crossing this Channel do not know much of ocean discomfort."

Like a good many travellers who see the Channel for the first time, she thought it must always be quiet.

It proved to be a very smooth trip, and only a little over an hour was spent in crossing.

The train left Calais fifteen minutes after the arrival of the boat, and the gentlemen bought nice luncheons which were put up in baskets,--chicken, bread and butter, and a bottle of wine.

They found a good compartment, and away they went, eating their lunch and enjoying the views from the windows at the same time.

Belgium is called the garden of Europe, as vegetables are raised there for all the principal cities.

The country is flat and rather uninteresting to look at, but when one realizes that the willows which surround the farms are used by the women and children to make baskets which are sent all over the world it becomes very interesting.

The land is divided by water wide enough for flat-bottomed boats to be rowed about, that the farmers may till their land and bring home the products in them.

It seemed very strange to see women at work in the fields, but Mr. Ford said they would get used to that before they reached Nuremberg.

It was dark when the train drew in at the station at Brussels, and they took a stage marked "Grand Hotel," and were driven through the principal street of the city. The shops were all lighted, and the streets and sidewalks full of people.

Outside the restaurants little tables were set on the sidewalks, and men and women were eating and drinking.

It was a sight the Winters had never seen, and it looked very strange to them.

"It is just like Paris on a small scale," said Mr. Ford.

Excellent rooms were ready for them at the hotel, as they had been telegraphed for by Mr. Ford, who was in the habit of going there every year.

They had a delicious supper, and Mr. Winter said,--

"That is the best meal I have seen since leaving America."

The ladies had found the cars very hard to travel in, and were glad to go to their rooms.

The next day Mrs. Winter was so thoroughly used up that Mr. Winter decided to stay in Brussels a few days for her to get rested.

The girls were delighted, as they had become very fond of each other and were dreading the separation.

Mr. Ford had to go out on business, and Mrs. Ford said she would entertain Mrs. Winter if Mr. Winter would take the girls sight-seeing. They started on their walk in high spirits, and found such wide, clean streets, interesting shops, and large, handsome buildings.

The new Exchange just completed, and the Palace of Justice, are two of the most magnificent civic buildings in Europe.

They were much interested in a lace manufactory. On the lower floor were women at work on the finest patterns. They were all ages, from twenty to seventy, and never looked up while their work was being examined.

When the girls were leaving the room, Alice laughed at some remark of Nellie's, and then every head was lifted and a sad smile came on each face for a second.

Mr. Winter bought two lace handkerchiefs for the girls to take as presents to their mothers.

Through the remainder of their stay in Brussels they had lovely drives in the beautiful park, visited the Palace of Justice, situated at the end of a long street, on a hill where there was a glorious view of the surrounding country for miles.

They also found that the picture gallery had a very fine collection--indeed, said to be the best in Belgium, and the pictures were beautifully arranged in schools and periods.

One day was given to the field of Waterloo, which they all enjoyed very much.

Alice felt so unhappy to be parted from Nellie that Mr. Winter finally persuaded Mr. and Mrs. Ford to let Nellie go with them to Nuremberg, as it would give her a delightful trip, and she was equally miserable to be left in Brussels without Alice.

It was decided to meet in Paris, have an enjoyable week together, and sail for home on the "Etruria" near the middle of July.