Constance Smedley and Pearl Humphrey

“ He found me reading French one day, and he was so pleased. I told him that you were such a splendid linguist that I wanted to copy you, and he said: 'Ah, that is good. I love to see women studying languages. In our service, where it should be indispensable, we often see young fellows hampered by wives who cannot speak even French fluently. I wish they all were animated by your spirit: a diplomat's wife ought to know French, German, and Italian, if not Spanish.' Could anything be more pointed?” demanded Nelly.
“I'm not such a very wonderful linguist, dear,” said Mrs. Martin. ”

“ Martin. “Diplomacy and dining-out are sister arts. I suppose he comes here because he likes the people he meets.” A smile came to her lips as she looked at Nelly's profile, bent meditatively toward the chocolates. ”

“ He and I get on so splendidly together, and he is so funny. Have you noticed what a lot we seem to have seen of him lately?”
“As one of the most popular men of the day, he is naturally pleasant,” returned Mrs. ”