"And the things that are not nice?"
"That is when these fine fellows presume to suit the action to the word. The ones who do that are the boldest; they take your hand, and, while pretending to admire it, they don't hesitate to kiss it; or they put an arm about your waist, and, if they can catch you napping, they try to kiss you."
"What! are there men so presumptuous as that?"
"Indeed there are! the presumptuous ones are much more numerous than the respectful ones; that is a great pity, for if it were not so——"
"Well?"
"Why, one might talk with them a little."
"Have they ever tried to kiss you?"
"Yes, indeed, and more than once; but I know how to defend myself. I box their ears, and I don't do it with any gentle hand, either."
"What! you box your customers' ears?"
"When the customers make too free with me; but no matter how well you defend yourself, sometimes you cannot escape the kiss."