Page:Pleased to Meet You (1927).pdf/70

 front steps and gestured for silence, were a masterpiece of demagogic skill.

"Citizens," he said, "the President of the Republic"

Cheers.

"Will greet you himself"

Loud Cheers.

"As soon as he has finished his onion soup."

Terrific enthusiasm. The crowd enjoyed the allusion, flags waved, the bass drum was pounded, men shouted, women huzzaed, children squeaked.

"It would not be like Herr Guadeloupe to alter the established simplicity of his life because his fellow-citizens have put him here at Farniente to represent the Republic. He asks me to tell you that he wants this little celebration to be in the true Illyrian style. There will be cookies for the young, beer for the thirsty, and our old Illyrian folkdances on the lawn."

In all its long history Farniente had never witnessed a more cordial scene. Slopes of wester-