The truth of the matter was that I was the youngest of the party, but those girls had selected me as the venerable member of the group of Americans.
But the climax came when these young ladies decided to stay with us "To the bitter end" as Pat called it.
After filling us with tea they still remained; bowing and smiling; even though they could not understand a word we were saying nor we a word that they were saying.
"It's one o'clock now! I'd like to get to bed," said Pat.
"How long will they stay with us?" I asked.
The missionaries only grinned in reply.
"By George, I'm going to take my shirt off and see if they won't go!" said Pat.
He took it off. The young girl who was serving him took his shirt and after neatly folding it, laid it carefully away.
"So that's what they're waiting for; to undress us?" queried Pat and the missionaries laughed again, waiting to see what would happen.
"They can go as far as they like. If they can stand it, I can!" said Pat.