I thought as I was first at the table, and a lady, that he would expect a little extra attention, and gave it with my usual bland politeness.
He smiled, and his eyes began to sparkle under the gold glasses he wore.
"Certainly," says he, "you are very kind; from Vermont I think you said."
"Just so," says I. "Sprucehill. Let me help you to a little of this roast beef, if I may call it so."
"Thank you," says he, and that funny smile crinkled his lips again, "I am well served."
It struck me as rather singular, that he, being a gentleman, didn't offer me any of the dishes on his side of the table; but he didn't, and, as a gentle rebuke, I said to the young man who stood behind him:
"Please to pass some of those dishes this way!"
The fellow blushed and hesitated, and looked at the gentleman in gold spectacles, who blushed a little, too, but said to the young fellow:
"Certainly; why don't you pass them over to the lady?"
There was something in a dish that looked a little like mashed potatoes. I helped myself with a spoon, and tasted it.