The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, October, 1913: Vol. LXXXVI. New Series: Vol. LXIV. May to October, 1913Various
General
The Century Illustrated Monthly Magazine, October, 1913: Vol. LXXXVI. New Series: Vol. LXIV. May to October, 1913
Various
Periodicals
After a time, when the audience had worn itself through excitement to
satisfaction or weariness, or both, a few of the tables were cleared
away and the dancing began, occasional guests joining. There were
charming dances in costume from Russia, from Scotland, from Hungary,
and from Spain. I myself waltzed with a Spanish dancer, and had the
wonder of seeing an American girl rise from her table and dance
with more skill and grace than the employed talent. A wine-enthused
Englishman, a handsome youth of twenty-six or more, took the floor
and remained there gaily prancing about from table to table, dancing
alone or with whomsoever would welcome him. What looked like a
dangerous argument started at one time because a high-mettled Brazilian
considered that he had been insulted. A cordon of waiters and the
managers soon adjusted that. It was between three and four in the
morning when we finally left, and I was very tired. It was decided that
we should meet for dinner; and since it was almost daylight, I was
glad when we had seen our ladies to their apartment and returned to our
hotel.
I shall never forget my first morning in Paris--the morning that I woke
up after about two hours’ sleep or less, prepared to put in a hard
day at sight-seeing, because X. had a program which must be adhered
to. He could be with me only until Monday, when he had to return. It
was fortunately a bright day, a little hazy and chill, but agreeable.
I looked out of the window of my very comfortable room on the fifth
floor, which gave out on a balcony overhanging the Rue St. Honoré, and
watched the crowd of French people below coming to work. It would be
hard to say what makes the difference between a crowd of Englishmen
and a crowd of Frenchmen, but there is a difference. It struck me
that these men and women walked faster, and that their movements were
more spirited than those of the English or Americans. They looked
more like Americans, though, than like the English, and they were
much more cheerful than either, chatting and talking as they came. I
was interested to see whether I could make the maid understand that
I wanted coffee and rolls without talking French, but the wants of
American travelers are an old story to French maids; and no sooner did
I say “_Café_” and make the sign of drinking from a cup than she said,
“_Oh, oui, oui, oui; oh, oui, oui, oui_,” and disappeared. Presently
the coffee was brought me, with rolls and butter and hot milk; and I
ate my breakfast as I dressed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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