A group of young people of different nations generally collected on these occasions, and the conversation often turned on the usages peculiar to their respective countries.
"In Spain I could not greet a lady with a simple good-evening," said the count. "I should say, 'Permit the humblest of your servants to lay himself at your feet,' or something like that."
"Why do you not say it to us?" asked a bright-eyed Canadian girl.
"Well, it might be a little awkward if you should happen to take it literally. In Spain it is the merest commonplace."
"If such exaggerated phrases are frittered into commonplaces, and the most impassioned words grow meaningless, what can a Spanish gentleman find to say when his heart is really touched?" I inquired.
"I fancy we should find some very simple words to say it in," said the boy, flushing like a girl. "But I do not know—I have never learned."
"Talk some more," commanded the little princess.
"If a pretty young lady is walking in our streets a mantle is often flung suddenly in her way, and proud and happy is its owner if she deigns to set her dainty foot upon it."
"What do they do that for? Because the streets are so muddy?" inquired an obtuse young woman. But nobody volunteered to enlighten her.
"Cannot we go to Spain?" asked Miss St. Clair. "I should like to see a modern Sir Walter Raleigh."