It ought to be on table, you know--it
's nearly two o'clock. But I dare say you have noticed foreigners are
never punctual--it 's only English servants that are punctual. And they
don't understand luncheon, you know--they can't make out our eating at
this sort of hour. You know they always dine so beastly early. Do you
remember the sort of time they used to dine at Baden?--half-past five,
half-past six; some unearthly hour of that kind. That 's the sort of
time you dine in America. I found they 'd invite a man at half-past six.
That 's what I call being in a hurry for your food. You know they always
accuse the Americans of making a rush for their victuals. I am bound
to say that in New York, and that sort of place, the victuals were very
good when you got them. I hope you don't mind my saying anything about
America? You know the Americans are so deucedly thin-skinned--they
always bristle up if you say anything against their institutions. The
English don't care a rap what you say--they 've got a different sort
of temper, you know. With the Americans I 'm deuced careful--I never
breathe a word about anything. While I was over there I went in for
being complimentary. I laid it on thick, and I found they would take all
I could give them.
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