Page:Pleased to Meet You (1927).pdf/178

 Romsteck replied gloomily. "If a man laughs too much they think he's crazy. Consider a person in my position. I haven't dared to smile in thirty years."

"Ah well," said the Colonel, "I regret that there are also more serious items that I have omitted."

"I wish the Grand Duke could have known you," said Romsteck. "He always insisted that the Americans have no sense of humour."

"Come, sergeant, we'll be going."

"Now? Whyn't we tear off a little sleep, Lootenant?"

"Nix, old son. Sleep is for the innocent and easy spirit. You and I are going to take the companionable sobvay, unhouseled, disappointed, unannealed. Away, away, charioted by Bacchus and his pards."

"You're the guy, all right," remarked the sergeant. "Plumb cuckoo."

"Romsteck, you'll have to say good-bye to the President for me. I fear he will be distressed. I shall always remember him as I saw him last,