comprehensible to each other. To an Italian it seems that many
North-Americans and English seek too often the assistance of the
nose in talking, though in different manners, each equally
unagreeable to our ears. The intelligent among our lazzaroni of
Naples, who beg from tourists, imitate this, with the purpose of
reminding the generous traveller of his home, in such a way to
soften his heart. But there is some difference: the Italian, the
Frenchman, or German who learns English sometimes misunderstands
the American: the Englishman he sometimes understands.

This voice that spoke was North-American. Ah, what a voice!
Sweet as the mandolins of Sorento! Clear as the bells of Capri!
To hear it, was like coming upon sight of the almond-blossoms of
Sicily for the first time, or the tulip-fields of Holland. Never
before was such a voice!

"Why did you stop, Rufus?" it said.

"Look!" replied the American trousers; so that I knew the pongee
lady had not observed me of herself.

Instantaneously there was an exclamation, and a pretty grey
parasol, closed, fell at my feet. It is not the pleasantest to
be an object which causes people to be startled when they behold
you; but I blessed the agitation of this lady, for what caused
her parasol to fall from her hand was a start of pity.

"Ah!" she cried. "The poor man!"

She had perceived that I was a gentleman.