THE FEET OF CLAY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1534, 2 September 1912, Page 3

THE FEET OF CLAY.

At an afternoon party they wore discussing the subject, of international hospitality (says aa exchange). An American lady drew comparisons between her visit to the British llagship Drake in Sydney harbour and her, recollections of the reception on the American battleships during their visit to Australia. Thev were much to the detriment of the British Navy. "When wo went on the Connects cut, they didn't, of cour6e, know we were American, but they brought out a bottle of champagne, and it had a napkin round it just, as you would have it served at Slenzies'."

At this stage ono of the men laughed, and, being pressed for the reason, told it. "I had lunch with one of the American officers on board the Louisiana in Auckland harbour," he explained. "My host ordered a bottle of wine—then immediately corrected his order—'Not wine, • boy— Heidesick.' No doubt lie noticed that 1 uns curious or surprised, for he said: 'You pbsorved mo correct that order. Woll, it's like this. We've got to entertain a lot of ladies on board these ships, and it's no use giving good champagne to ladies. They like raspberry vinegar and sweet things. Now, we'vo got a big stock of cheap champagne on hoard—no one knows what it's made of or where it comes from, but when we order "wine" all the stewards knew they've to bring that stulf, and put a napkin round it— so vou can't see there's no label on the bottle.'"

Everyone lauglietl, excepting the American laily.