Готель з привидами

           TheAmericansarenotonlythemosthospitablepeopletobefoundonthefaceoftheearth—theyare(undercertainconditions)themostpatientandgood-temperedpeopleaswell.Buttheyarehuman;andthelimitofAmericanenduranceisfoundintheobsoleteinstitutionofabedroomcandle.TheAmericantraveller,inthepresentcase,declinedtobelievethathisbedroomwasinacompletefinishedstatewithoutagas-burner.Themanagerpointedtothefineantiquedecorations(renewedandregilt)onthewallsandtheceiling,andexplainedthattheemanationsofburninggas-lightwouldcertainlyspoiltheminthecourseofafewmonths.Tothisthetravellerrepliedthatitwaspossible,butthathedidnotunderstanddecorations.Abedroomwithgasinitwaswhathewasusedto,waswhathewanted,andwaswhathewasdeterminedtohave.Thecompliantmanagervolunteeredtoasksomeothergentleman,housedontheinferiorupperstorey(whichwaslitthroughoutwithgas),tochangerooms.Hearingthis,andbeingquitewillingtoexchangeasmallbedchamberforalargeone,Henryvolunteeredtobetheothergentleman.TheexcellentAmericanshookhandswithhimonthespot.’Youareaculturedperson,sir,’hesaid;’andyouwillnodoubtunderstandthedecorations.’

           Henrylookedatthenumberoftheroomonthedoorasheopenedit.ThenumberwasFourteen.

           Tiredandsleepy,henaturallyanticipatedagoodnight’srest.Inthethoroughlyhealthystateofhisnervoussystem,hesleptaswellinabedabroadasinabedathome.