"
"I wasn't trying to explain it," said Susie, with a little sigh of
despair, "or to defend it--but let it go." Then, with a flash of
mischief,--"Are you frequently called upon?"
"There are occasions almost every day which demand them of us," answered
the Prince, soberly, missing the glance.
"Poor man! And the affair of yesterday was one of them? Forgive me if I
am rude; but it is all so new and interesting!"
"It seemed only right," explained the Prince, "that I should compensate
you in some way for the annoyance I had caused you."
The words were said so candidly and simply that the ironical smile
faded from Susie's lips and she was silent for a moment.
"I think the American way the nicer," she said at last, decisively. "An
American would have considered an apology ample reparation. With us a
gift means something--it has a sentimental value. Besides, girls are
never permitted to accept gifts of value. Flowers are the only things
which may be given them."
"Flowers!" repeated the Prince, eagerly, looking at her.
"And only by their nearest, dearest friends," added Susie, hastily.
"Well, it is a very different point of view," said the Prince, the light
fading from his face. "I have even heard that in America there are
workmen who consider a tip an insult."
"It's unthinkable, isn't it? And yet, I'm proud to say, it's true.
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