nsiderateness left me alone for half
an hour. Then he came back for a moment and said it was a glorious day.
I had heard this phrase so often in Paris that I reached into my pocket
for ten cents. But something in the quiet dignity of the young man held
me back. So I merely answered that it was indeed a glorious day, and
that the crops would soon head out nicely if we got this sunshine,
provided there wasn't dew enough to start the rust, in which case I was
afraid that if an early frost set in we might be badly fooled. He said
"indeed," and asked me if I had read the last London _Weekly Times_. I
said that I had not seen the last one; but that I had read one about a
year ago and that it seemed one of the most sparkling things I had ever
read; I had simply roared over it from cover to cover.

He looked pleased and went away.

When he came back, he had the letter of commendation in his hand.

Would you believe it? The civility of it! They had printed the letter,
every word of it--except my own name--and it explained all about the
ambassador and me being close friends, and told of his desire to have me
read in the National Library.

I took the letter, and I knew of course that the moment had come to do
something handsome for the young man. But he looked so calm that I still
hesitated.

I took ten cents out of my pocket and held it where the light could
glitter from every point of its surface full in his face.

And I said----

"My dear young friend, I hope I don't insult you. You are, I can see it,
an English gentleman. Your manner betrays it. I, too, though I may seem
only what I am, had I not been brought up in Toronto, might have been
like you. But enough of this weakness,--will you take ten cents?"

[Illustration: Something in the quiet dignity of the young man held me.]

He hesitated. He looked all round. I could see that he was making a
great effort. The spirit of Paris battled against his better nature.
He was tempted, but he didn't fall.

"I'm sorry, sir," he said. "I'd like to take it, but I'm afraid I
mustn't."

"Young man," I said, "I respect your feelings. You have done me a
service. If you ever fall into want and need a position in the Canadian
Cabinet, or a seat in our Senate, let me know at once."

I left him.

Then by an odd chance, as I passed to the outer door, there was the
British Ambassador himself. He was standing beside the door waiting to
open it. There was no mistaking him. I could te