But they are human; and the limit of American endurance is found in the obsolete institution of a bedroom candle.

The American traveller, in the present case, declined to believe that his bedroom was in a complete finished state without a gas-burner.

The manager pointed to the fine antique decorations (renewed and regilt) on the walls and the ceiling, and explained that the emanations of burning gas-light would certainly spoil them in the course of a few months.

To this the traveller replied that it was possible, but that he did not understand decorations.

A bedroom with gas in it was what he was used to, was what he wanted, and was what he was determined to have.