I am of a nervous temperament and needed some minutes’ rest in which to collect myself. Then I began to examine the stranger’s gift.
It was a well-printed pamphlet, obviously an advertisement:—
“HOW TO LEARN FOREIGN LANGUAGES.
The One Truly Scientific Method.
The only way to acquire the real accent of the native is to listen repeatedly to the language spoken by a native. With our phonograph No. 0034 and a selection of suitable records the student may listen for as many hours daily as he chooses to the voice of a native speaking his own language.”
Lower down I saw: “Contents of Records. No. 1, At the Hotel; No. 2, At the Railway Station; No. 3, In the Train.” Ah! there it was—the whole monologue:—
“Good morning, Sir. I am very pleased to meet you. Can you tell me——?”
The explanation relieved me; I turned to my fellow-traveller.
“My dear Sir,” said I, “I congratulate you on being the perfect pupil. Your teacher, could it feel such emotions, would be proud of you. Only to an exceptional student can it be given so faithfully to reproduce ‘His Master’s Voice.’”