who know many people can go out constantly if they like it."

"And it's so easy to get to know people," said Mr Rubb. "That's what
makes me like these sort of places so much. There's no stiffness
and formality, and all that kind of thing. Now in London, you don't
know your next neighbour, though you and he have lived there for ten
years."

"Nor here either, unless chance brings you together."

"Ah; but there is none of that horrid decorum here," said Mr Rubb.
"There's nothing I hate like decorum. It prevents people knowing each
other, and being jolly and happy together. Now, the French know more
about society than any people, and I'm told they have none of it."

"I'm sure I can't say," said Miss Baker.

"It's given up to them that they've got rid of it altogether," said
Mr Rubb.

"Who have got rid of what?" asked Miss Todd, who saw that her friend
was rather dismayed by the tenor of Mr Rubb's conversation.

"The French have got rid of decorum," said Mr Rubb.

"Altogether, I believe," said Miss Todd.

"Of course they have. It's given up to them that they have. They're
the people that know how to live!"

"You'd better go and live among them, if that's your way of
thinking," said Miss Todd.

"I would at once, only for the business," said Mr Rubb. "If there's
anything I hate, it's decorum. How pleasant it was for me to be asked
in to take tea here in this social way!"

"But I hope decorum would not have forbidden that," said Miss Todd.

"I rather think it would though, in London."

"Where you're known, you mean?" asked Miss Todd.

"I don't know that that makes any difference; but people don't do
that sort of thing. Do they, Miss Mackenzie? You've lived in London
most of your life, and you ought to know."

Miss Mackenzie did not answer the appeal that was made to her. She
was watching Mr Rubb narrowly, and knew that he was making a fool of
himself. She could perceive also that Miss Todd would not spare him.
She could forgive Mr Rubb for being a fool. She could forgive him
for not knowing the meaning of words, for being vulgar and assuming;
but she could hardly bring herself to forgive him in that he did so
as her friend, and as the guest whom she had brought thither. She
did not declare to herself that she would have nothing more to do
with him, because he was an ass; but she almost did come to this
conclusion, lest he should make her appear to be an ass also.

"What is the gentleman's name?" asked Mr Ma