Cedric. You mustn't be too hard on yourself, my friend. And so you've come to England?
Gaston. My father says, Go to England. Study the English caractère in England. Very valuable. When I come to London I could not speak English—no!
Cedric. When was that? Last week?
Gaston. No. It is a year, nearly. But I had at once a situation, the first day, at the Grand Babylon Hotel.
Cedric. Rather awkward, wasn't it, not knowing English?
Gaston. Yes. That fatigues one—to hear a strange language all the day.
Cedric. I meant for the customers.
Gaston. (Nonchalant gesture.) They are now well habituated. Many of them learn French or German, it saves time. English people are so practical. They are not logique, but they are practical. Now to-day I speak German, Italian, as perfectly as English.
Cedric. Remarkable! But surely a man of your enormous ability is wasted in a sleepy place like this.... Perhaps you find it amusing, though.