have been acquired had I not been
an Esperantist, even with a perfect knowledge of French; and I have
once again to thank the most kind ladies and gentlemen who so
cordially extended me their hospitality.

After dinner, Mme. de Menil played her very melodious Esperanto
Waltz.[1]

We then proceeded through the streets to the beautiful white Town
Hall, which had attracted so much of my attention the year before.

We entered a very fine painted and ornamented hall, in which was
assembled a number of the townsmen.

As the weather was so lovely, we feared that but few would be
present, but we were mistaken, and I was glad to see among the
audience many young people.

Until now there had hardly been occasion to remember that I
understood French, for, naturally, we always conversed in Esperanto.
But I now found that I had not wasted my time in the study of this
difficult, but beautiful, tongue. I perfectly understood the
remarkable lecture which M. Bourlet gave. But all good things come to
an end, and I much regretted my ability to understand French when, in
the middle of his discourse, my friend wanted me to say something _in
French_ to show that it is almost impossible for a foreigner to learn
such a difficult and irregular language perfectly! My audience was
truly very patient, and did not laugh very much at my pains, but I
was exceedingly glad when I could once more be permitted to speak in
Esperanto! Did this test gain over any of those present to our Cause?

At five o'clock the meeting ended, and we paid one or two calls
before returning to the hospitable Secretary's home.

On my previous visit to Chateau Thierry I had become well acquainted
with the natural beauties of the locality, but now, thanks to
Esperanto, I know something of the inhabitants and their beautiful
homes.

Swiftly, too, too swiftly, came the hour of departure, and the hot
train took us back to Paris. Naturally the fellow-travellers were
much interested in listening to our Esperanto conversation. Did they
imagine that we were not of the same nationality?

At eleven p.m. I had to say good-bye to my most kind friend, and took
the tram to the Gare de Lyon, where the station was made gay by
soldiers of all kinds.

The train left at one in the morning. My sole companion was an
officer going to Tonquin. We talked a little about Esperanto among
other subjects, and he said he would probably learn the language in
the steamer, instead of always pla