A LESSON IN ENGLISH.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 1902, 30 January 1885, Page 2

A LESSON IN ENGLISH.

Mdlle, Theo, the French prima donna, is learning English.. Her industry lias had one startling result. Recently, when a Herald reporter called on her, she greeted him in English. 'Good day, sir,' she exclaimed;; with the most charming of foreign accents; 'ah, what a dem hot day tliat-we liave-had I 1 'Ye-ss; a hot day,'replied the reporter. 'You have suffered much from the heat?'

' Oh; dem, dem, dem,' cried the diva, with a despairing motion, of her ' shapely little handfl. .-

'I beg your (pardon I' exclaimed the reporter, somewhat startled. ; ' I say that I have suffered dem, dem, much,' said Mdrne. Theo, with a sweet smile.

' Indeed!' stammered the repOTter. ' Ah,' cried Mdrne. Theo. J Lsee thatf I have made some dem big error. What is it? Tell me, quick!' " 'Well, madame;' answered tho rejgrter, 'tho word—ah—'dem' is rarely im in English -except by Mr ManteUini.' ■ ' Ail, moiweur,Jffum mis,'. cried the diva, the bosom of her Mother: Hubbard tossing tempestuously,' that horrid word was taught-me by Monsieur My English teacher was unwell this , morning, and Monsieur Grau volunteered to insttact^. me in her stead, ; ' Well, what did he teach youithat that word meant? •

' He said that tho word " very" was the English for ires, Bnt when one wanted to be very forcible one did n&t'say ' very' but "dem".' That word, Tie said, was a sort of superlative of" very," ■ Thus, you see, my dear Madame Theo, •' the wretch remarked, how very rich, forcible, and expressive is tlie great English language." 'I thought,' continued the"(&;■ '..that the word was equivalent for excessimntnt, and, ah! I have been dem-ing all-the, visitors who have called up me durrng the hurt two hours." ' The dim buried her face in hdr hands and moaned. ' 7