I found the
Pigeon Charmer occupying the sofa. The two young Acrobats and the
Lightning Calculator were evidently in bed, and the maid, no doubt, busy
preparing her mistress's couch for the night. She smiled quite frankly
when I approached, and motioned me to a seat beside her. All these
professional people the world over have unconventional manners, and an
acquaintance is often easily made--at least, that has been my
experience.
She began by thanking me in French for my share in getting her such
comfortable quarters--dropped into German for a sentence or two, as if
trying to find out my nationality--and finally into English, saying,
parenthetically:
"You are English, are you not?"
No financial magnate this time--rather queer, I thought--that she missed
that part of my personality. My room-mate had recognized it, even to the
extent of calling me "Your Highness."
"No, an American."
"Oh, an American! Yes, I should have known--No, you are not English. You
are too kind to be English.
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