The page came up and announced Hamdi's intention of immediate
appearance.
"And how is that charming young lady, your ward, Miss Carlotta?"
continued my tormentor.
"Yes," I answered hurriedly. "A charming young lady. You used
to give her sweets. Have you noticed that a fondness for sugar
plums induces an equanimity of character? It also spoils the
teeth. That is why the front teeth of all American women are so
bad."
I must be endowed with the low cunning of the fox, who, I am
told, by a swift turn puts his pursuers off the scent. The
learned term the rhetorical device an _ignoratio elenchi_. My
young friend's patriotism rose in furious defence of his
countrywomen's beauty. I looked round the luxuriously furnished
vestibule, wondering from which of the many doors the object of
my hatred would emerge, and my young friend's talk continued to
ruffle the fringe of my mind.
"I'm afraid you're expecting some one rather badly," he remarked
with piercing perceptiveness.
"A dull acquaintance," said I.
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