“Kate” joined in with a mock quotation from the catalog. Interruptions were frequent. “‘The young ladies of this school are taught the French language according to the natural method. Conversation is encouraged. All the work of the French class is conducted entirely in the French language. A correct accent is insisted upon.’”
Imitation of the French teachers followed, along with samples of the kind of French that was “encouraged.”
“There’s my proof,” Blynn went on. “Everyone here has studied French for one or more years. Some of us have been abroad where each had a chance to test it out. Who really knows any French, except Leopold? I don’t mean ability to read. Anybody can guess what French means; but can anyone here really talk and think in French? I have met German boys, still in school, who could talk with me in English and could pass me many times in French. They got it all out of their schools. In other words, they gave their time, the most precious hours of their lives, and got something lasting.”
The conversation broke in two. The upper end of the table were agreeing with Blynn, the lower end were trying with much laughter to carry on a discussion in French.
“Je vous aime, je vous adore, que voulez-vous encore?” Betty remarked to Diccon. “It means, ‘I just dote on you, Dicky-boy.’”
“Je ne comprends pas,” replied Diccon. “Score a point for me. It’s all French, every bit of it guaranteed. Je ne comprends pas. ‘I don’t understand.’ I used it all over Paris. ‘I don’t understand’ fits anywhere.”
“J’ai un petit frère,” volunteered Davis. “It means, ‘I have a little brother.’ I haven’t any little brother, but that’s French, all right.”
“Adieu! Adieu! Adieu!” said Kate.
They were taking turns. Blynn saw a chance to surprise them.
“Here! children,” he rapped on the table. “I have a game for you. Each of us will show off his French. Leopold is debarred; he is French. No! We’ll let him in.... Let me see,” he glanced hurriedly about the table. “We’ll take partners, each talk to his vis-à-vis.” He produced his watch. “I’ll make it easy. One full minute speech and one full minute reply. Time out for all pauses. Repetitions not allowed. Get ready. Kate and Diccon will begin, the gentleman first.”