Anyway, I sat there beside her dressing table and watched the dressing proceed, the while she chattered gayly about this and that and every other thing of little or much importance.... Finally, before she had quite finished, the first of the visitors arrived and I adjourned to the reception room, where I found my friend Germaine and a bespectacled American major who very apparently didn’t relish the idea of being introduced to an enlisted man.... Then Captain Winstead breezed in and smoothed the air a little by his friendliness to me.... In the space of fifteen minutes the entire party was assembled, ten in all, and we set off for the country in two cars, one an American service car and the other of French make and belonging to one of the ladies. Madame Gedouin promised that we should see a most charming place and that we all would have a delightful evening, and I had to admit that I was glad I came, because this country estate, about twenty-five miles from the center of the city, was really the most comfortable and inviting place I’d seen in France. The Madame told us about its owner, an official in the French government.... If it hadn’t been for the prospect of the bathing, I should have enjoyed myself immensely. As soon as we had been served with refreshments, the Madame suggested that everyone find a place to change clothes. “And let’s be off while the sun shines.” “Everyone going in?” I asked. “All but Marie,” she replied. “She’s too French. I think that swimming is more appreciated by Americans than by any other race the world over. Every healthy American loves swimming.” “Here’s one that don’t,” I told her. “You little prevaricator!” she exclaimed. “Run right along and slip into your suit.” “I didn’t bring one,” I confessed. “You didn’t?” She sounded as if she really felt bad about it. “Well, we’ll see if we can’t find one that will fit you. You’re so petit, I imagine you could wear a girl’s suit.” “Absolutely not!” I declared. “My mother didn’t raise me to be laughed at.” “Why, you dear sweet kid,” she laughed, “I have to laugh at you all the time: you’re so terribly unique!” “Virtue in all things,” I told her, smiling. “But swimming isn’t one of my points of virtue—I regret to say. I never liked the water and I was actually uneasy on the trip coming over, because I really can’t swim a stroke.” “I’d love to teach you—I think that would be just loads of fun.... And it isn’t every man I’d bother that much about, you know.” I laughed and let her kiss me, but remained firm in my stand. “You chase along and have your fun,” I insisted. “I’ll toddle about and feast my eyes upon the sights.” She finally gave up trying and flew upstairs to change. But I had no sooner ducked her than the Captain appeared and I had to go through it all again. “Mrs. Gedouin might not like it if you don’t go in after coming on the party,” he argued.