"He was afraid not, as they were on shore."
"Might they see where they slept?"
"Certainly," replied the Vahtimestari.
And on reaching the room they exclaimed—
"Why, this is an ordinary room with windows, how very disappointing," whereupon, much distressed and disillusioned, they turned and departed.
At this very time we were walking on the promenade in front of the bath-houses, where a nice fat comfortable-looking old gentleman stood before me, and cap in hand asked in English—
"Excuse me, do you like Finland?"
"Very much," I replied, smiling at the question; "but why do you ask?"
"I am a Finn—we all are Finns, and we are very proud of our country, about which most of Europe knows nothing, or at least next to nothing, and I am desirous to hear what you think of it all?"
"I am delighted with it. But again I must ask why you inquire?"