"I should think you would want to know about my marriage; it must seem to you very strange." Acton looked at her a moment.

"Now you would n't like me to say that!" "You Americans have such odd ways!" the Baroness declared.

"You never ask anything outright; there seem to be so many things you can't talk about." "We Americans are very polite," said Acton, whose national consciousness had been complicated by a residence in foreign lands, and who yet disliked to hear Americans abused.

"We don't like to tread upon people's toes," he said.

"But I should like very much to hear about your marriage.