One lady had not yet arrived.

At last the steward came with the said article on his arm, and having deposited her in the seat nearly opposite mine, at a knowing wink from him, a second steward sounded another bell, and the men dropped into their seats like magic.

Soup having been already served, the spoons rattled away furiously.

I was wondering who the lady--all females are ladies here--could be, for whom we had been so long waiting, and who had eventually come in with the steward, or gentleman--all men are gentlemen here--in so friendly a manner.

She did not appear burdened with any refined manners, but, judge of my astonishment when, after she had got quit of her soup-plate and was waiting for her next helping, I observed the lady poking the point of her knife into a sweet dish near her, and sucking off the precious morsel she had captured, which interesting operation she kept repeating till her roast turkey arrived.