"As far as I remember, we generally do," said Reginald.

"But here it is dreadful, every one goes to such extremes. In
England you never go to extremes."

"We go to the Albert Hall," explained Reginald.

"There is always a see-saw with us between repression and violence,"
continued the Princess; "and the pity of it is the people are really
not in the least inclined to be anything but peaceable. Nowhere
will you find people more good-natured, or family circles where
there is more affection."

"There I agree with you," said Reginald. "I know a boy who lives
somewhere on the French Quay who is a case in point. His hair curls
naturally, especially on Sundays, and he plays bridge well, even for
a Russian, which is saying much. I don't think he has any other
accomplishments, but his family affection is really of a very high
order. When his maternal grandmother died he didn't go as far as to
give up bridge altogether, but he declared on nothing but black
suits for the next three months. That, I think, was really
beautiful."

The Princess was not impressed.

"I think you must be very self-indulgent and live only for
amusement," she said, "a life of pleasure-seeking and card-playing
and dissipation brings only dissatisfaction. You will find that out
some day."