As the man who talks most has generally the situation in his own hand, I determined to keep the greater part of the conversation to myself. All the likely sentences that could possibly be of avail I copied out of the phrase-book on a sheet of foolscap. Some new expressions and idioms were added, and committed as thoroughly as possible to memory.
And, by the way, I made use of a fresh discovery—a number of algemeene opmerkingen from the end of the grammar.
A LITERARY FORTRESS.
These were on the same lines as the material in the phrase-book, but much more learned. They were for advanced students (I was rather advanced now, so to speak,) and they had a distinct literary and scientific flavour. I went over all these, aloud—my old and favourite plan—so as to gain fluency and facility in uttering them.
Furthermore, not being able to trust my memory absolutely—there was a lot of new stuff to be mastered, you see,—I hit upon a plan to lead the conversation and keep it upon topics of my own choosing.
My strategem was of uncommon simplicity, but admirably effective for all that.
On my table I erected a kind of informal reading-desk composed of books and magazines; then in a hollow of this edifice, out of sight, I placed my manuscript notes where they could easily catch my eye. Two chairs I set carefully in position—one for myself beside my fortress, the other for my visitor in the middle of the room in a good clear light.
Then I awaited results.
AN ASTONISHED OFFICIAL.