American. That 'pears to be one up to democracy. [To the Little Man.] I judge you go in for brotherhood?
Little Man [startled]. Oh, no! I never—
American. I take considerable stock in Leo Tolstoi myself. Grand man—grand-souled apparatus. But I guess you've got to pinch those waiters some to make 'em skip. [To the English, who have carelessly looked his way for a moment.] You'll appreciate that, the way he acted about my eggs. [The English make faint motions with their chins, and avert their eyes. To the Waiter, who is standing at the door of the buffet.] Waiter! Flash of beer—jump, now!
Waiter. Komm' gleich!
German. Cigarren!
Waiter. Schön. [He disappears.]
American [affably—to the Little Man]. Now, if I don't get that flash of beer quicker'n you got yours, I shall admire.
German [abruptly]. Tolstoi is nothing—nichts! No good! Ha?
American [relishing the approach of argument]. Well, that is a matter of temperament. Now, I'm all for equality. See that poor woman there—vurry humble woman—there she sits among us with her baby. Perhaps you'd like to locate her somewhere else?
German [shrugging]. Tolstoi is sentimentalisch. Nietzsche is the true philosopher, the only one.