With such
people experience is the only taskmaster possible. It is useless talking
to them. It is dangerous to pauperize them. Besides, the accounts that
one reads in the newspapers are manifestly absurd and exaggerated. You
must not, mademoiselle," he said, turning courteously to Maggie, "you
must not believe all you are told about Russia."
"I do not," replied Maggie, with an honest smile which completely
baffled M. Vassili. He had not had much to do with people who smiled
honestly.
"Vrai!" he said, with grave emphasis; "I am not joking. It is a matter
of the strictest fact that fiction has for the moment fixed its fancy
upon my country--just as it has upon the East End of your London. Mon
Dieu! what a lot of harm fiction with a purpose can do!"
"But we do not take our facts from fiction in England," said Maggie.
"Nor," put in Steinmetz, with his blandest smile, "do we allow fiction
to affect our facts."
Vassili glanced at Steinmetz sideways.
"Here is dinner," he said. "Mme. la Princesse, may I have the honor?"
The table was gorgeously decorated; the wine was perfect; the dishes
Parisian. Every thing was brilliant, and Etta's spirits rose. Such
little things affect the spirits of such little-minded women. It
requires a certain mental reserve from which to extract cheerfulness
over a chop and a pint of beer withal, served on a doubtful cloth.
Pages:
167
168
169
170
171
172
173
174
175
176
177
178
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191