"I won't," I answered. "What is your favorite novel?"
"Quo Vadis," he replied, promptly, and without any conceit whatever. He was merely candid.
"I don't mean of your own. I mean of other people's," said I.
"Oh!" said he. "I didn't understand; still, my answer must be the same. My favorite novel in Polish is, of course, my own; but of the novels that others have published, I think Quo Vadis, by Jeremiah Curtin, is my favorite. Of course it is only a translation, but it is good."
I did not intend to be baffled, however, so I persisted.
"Very well, Mr.—er—You," said I. "What is your favorite novel in Chinese?"
"My favorite novel has not yet been translated into Chinese," he replied, calmly, and I had to admit myself defeated.
"Do you like Vanity Fair?" I asked.
"I have never been there," said he, simply.