“Ah! you have been fighting.”
“No,” answered Aleko, “I have been beaten.” Then emboldened he asked, “Tell me, why do people take their hats off?”
The old man stared at the question.
“Why, to the flag, of course.”
“Yes, I know; but why?”
“Why? To show respect to the flag, of course.”
“Why does it show respect when one takes one’s hat off?”
The old man answered by another question:—
“From where are you my lad?”
“From Megaloupolis.”