Page:A wandering student in the Far East vol.1 - Zetland.djvu/201

Rh violated, in his ignorance, the most sacred canons of correct behaviour. On one occasion I, in my ignorance, removed my hat on entering the reception-room of an official with whom I desired an interview. My host immediately rose and stripped off his outer garments! I was completely at a loss to understand his behaviour; but I have no doubt, now, that it was to be quits with me for my lack of respect in removing my hat. After this I learned off by heart such details of behaviour as are absolutely necessary, and for the rest trusted to luck not to appear too hopelessly gauche in the eyes of my hosts. When I remembered to shake hands cordially with myself instead of with my host on arrival and departure, to keep my hat fixed firmly upon my head instead of taking it off, to take the cup of tea which he would hand me but on no account to drink it until the moment of leaving, to accept the tit-bit picked out of the dishes on the table and placed on my plate by my host's own long-nailed fingers, and to return the compliment by selecting some particularly dainty-looking