Page:The Naval Officer (1829), vol. 3.djvu/150

 said any thing very ridiculous or indelicate; if I had, I said I should never forgive myself.

"Sir," said Mr. M'Flinn, " I am very sure you meant nothing indelicate; but the refined society of Philadelphia, in which these young ladies have been educated, attaches very different meanings to certain words, to what you do in the old country. The back settlements, for instance, so called by our ancestors, we call the western settlements, and we apply the same term, by analogy, to the human figure and dress. This is a mere little explanation, which you will take as it is meant. It cannot be expected that foreigners, should understand the niceties of our language."

I begged pardon for my ignorance; and assured him I would be more cautious in future.

"But pray tell me," said I, "what there was in my last observation which could have caused so much mirth at my expense?"

"Why, Sir," said Mr. M'Flinn, " you run