You have just decided that he
has nothing more to say and are preparing to leave him, when he makes
his request with as much circumlocution as possible. To have come
straight to the point would have been contrary to all his ideas of
correct procedure.
I have heard two natives make one another's acquaintance with a bout of
verbal sparring which an Englishman would obviate by a single sentence,
such as "Good morning; Mr. Brown, I believe?" "Yes," the other would
answer, and the business would be entered upon immediately.
The Spanish blood, however, calls for some such dialogue as the
following, which is taken from real life.
_A._--"Good day."
_B._--"Good day."
_A._--"How are you, Senor?"
_B._--"Very well, thank you, Senor; how are you?"
_A._--"Very well, thank you."
_B._--"I am glad."
_A._--"Equally."
_B._--"Don't mention it."
_A._--"I am speaking to Mr. Juan Sosa?"
_B._--"At your service."
_A._--"At yours."
_B._--"Equally."
_A._--"It gives me great pleasure to know you."
_B._--"Equally."
They are flowery always, whether in greeting, praise, commendation, or
in denunciation.
In illustration of the last point, I once heard a cartman give vent to a
quite Olympic challenge.
His cart had stuck in a deep rut up to the axles, and he commenced
operations by addressing his bullocks with tender words and soft names
swiftly followed by lurid curses.
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