I do not speak to gentlemen I have
not met, nor do I permit them to address me."
"Hear, hear!" cried Xanthippe. "I quite agree with the principle of my
young friend from Troy. It may be that when we claimed for ourselves all
the rights of men that the right to speak and be spoken to by other men
without an introduction was included in the list, but I for one have no
desire to avail myself of the privilege, especially when it's a
horrid-looking man like this."
Kidd bowed politely, and smiled so terribly that several of the ladies
fainted.
"I will withdraw," he said, turning to Cleopatra; and it must be said that
his suggestion was prompted by his heartfelt wish, for now that he found
himself thus conspicuously brought before so many women, with falsehood on
his lips, his courage began to ooze.
"Not yet, please," answered the chair-lady. "I imagine we can get about
this difficulty without much trouble."
"I think it a perfectly proper objection too," observed Delilah, rising.
"If we ever needed etiquette we need it now. But I have a plan which will
obviate any further difficulty. If there is no one among us who is
sufficiently well acquainted with the gentleman to present him formally to
us, I will for the time being take upon myself the office of ship's barber
and cut his hair. I understand that it is quite the proper thing for
barbers to talk, while cutting their hair, to persons to whom they have
not been introduced.
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