Page:Anecdotes of Great Musicians.djvu/178

166 divested themselves of their dusty traveling robes and were comfortably settled before a roaring blaze, the baron turned to Grétry, saying:—

"Now, my dear sir, how glad I am that."

"Sir," said Grétry sharply, "I never talk in an inn."

The nobleman saw the joke, and the two then entered into friendly conversation.

The next day they were ascending Mount Cenis. Grétry espied a small cross stuck in the ground and inquired of the guides what it meant. He was answered sharply with one word, "Silence!"

"How now," thought our Frenchman, "are these some more German barons?"

But he kept quiet until the end of their climb, when the guides told him that any conversation or noise might, by the vibration of the air, loosen some of the masses of snow and cause an avalanche.  

An English singer, Anna Storace, when visiting Vienna, sang before the court on a certain gala occasion, and was the recipient of many compliments. The Emperor, passing her in the fête, politely asked her if she was enjoying herself, and also if there was anything he could do for her. Not understanding that court language must not always be taken too literally, she calmly replied, "Yes, your Majesty, I am quite thirsty; will you get me a glass of water?"

The effect of this request on the bystanders may be imagined. The Emperor, however, had the good sense not to be offended, and, ordering an attendant to wait on the lady, smilingly passed on.