laws and takin' advantage of the privileges we offer 'emthey'll
stop bein' Portygees or Russians or Polacks or whatever they used
to be or their folks were； and just be Americanslike you； Al。〃
〃That's what we must work for now； Grandfather。 It's a big job；
but it must be done。〃
They walked on in silence for a time。 Then the captain said：
〃It's a pretty fine country； after all； ain't it； Albert？〃
Albert looked about him over the rolling hills； the roofs of the
little town； the sea； the dunes； the pine groves； the scene which
had grown so familiar to him and which had become in his eyes so
precious。
〃It is MY country；〃 he declared； with emphasis。
His grandfather caught his meaning。
〃I'm glad you feel that way； son；〃 he said； 〃but 'twasn't just
South Harniss I meant then。 I meant all of it； the whole United
States。 It's got its faults； of course； lots of 'em。 And if I was
an Englishman or a Frenchman I'd probably say it wasn't as good as
England or France； whichever it happened to be。 That's all right；
I ain't findin' any fault with 'em for thatthat's the way they'd
ought to feel。 But you and I； Al； we're Americans。 So the rest of
the world must excuse us if we say that； take it by and large； it's
a mighty good country。 We've planned for it； and worked for it；
and fought for it； and we know。 Eh？〃
〃Yes。 We know。〃
〃Yes。 And no howlin'； wild…eyed bunch from somewhere else that
haven't done any of these things are goin' to come here and run it
their way if we can help itwe Americans； eh？〃
Alberto Miguel Carlos Speranza； American； drew a long breath。
〃No！〃 he said； with emphasis。
〃You bet！ Well； unless I'm mistaken； I smell salt fish and potatoes；
which； accordin' to Cape Cod notion； is a good American dinner。
I don't know how you feel； Al； but I'm hungry。〃
End