ETIQUETTE & QUEEN

Hokitika Guardian, 25 March 1933, Page 6

ETIQUETTE & QUEEN

AN AMERICAN IN ITALY.

The English-speaking colony in Rome was recently having a good laugh over the adventure of a young Anieri-? can student who met the Queen of Italy in a hospital. ' As the 'student sat waiting for his medical adviser, a tall lady came into, the room, sat down, and entered into Conversation with him. He told her all about his ailments, his life in Rome, and his American home. Then he said: “You speak English very well, but I don’t think you’re American. I’ve, told you about myself, and now it’s your turn. Who are you? What is your nationality?”

“I’m the Queen of Italy,” the lady answered smilingly. The bov looked very astonished. “Why, you’re kidding me! Who are you?”

The Queen repeated her words, and the smile. The American got up, ran across the room, and gave Her Majesty a hearty handshake. “Why Queen, how d’you do ? I’m glad to

meet you,” he said. The matron came in and, later, when the hoy told her the story,, slie said lie had not addressed Her Majesty properly. “Why, say,” the boy cried, quite upset, “what d’you think of that? What was I to call her? Mrs King, perhaps?” And it took matron and friends some time to make him understand why they laughed so heartily.