The Poodle at once got up and made a very polite bow. “It’s a ‘Question of Etiquette,’” he said, “and I’ve taken the liberty of putting it into verse.”
“No one should be allowed to write poetry but me,” said the King’s Minstrel sulkily.
“Silence,” called out the Husher, frowning severely at him. “Go on with your question, Poodle.”
The Poodle bowed again, and placing his feet in the first position for dancing, read the following lines:—
“The people of Japan, I’ve heard,
Are really most polite;
To compliment all sorts of things
Is daily their delight;
They speak in terms of courtesy
Of an ‘Honourable table,’