THE COFFEE; THE CUPS; THE SPOONS.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 47, 13 July 1908, Page 7

THE COFFEE; THE CUPS; THE SPOONS.

Travelling through Holland a short while ago, I had rather an amusing experience.

I had crossed by Harwich and the Hook, ’ and took my breakfast on the dining-car. At the next table to mine sat three respectable British ladies refreshing themselves alter their crossing with rolls and coffee. ! The train was lurching a little, and some of the coffee in the cups was spilled over into the saucers. A waiter passed by, seized the three spoons from the saucers, put one in each cup, and went off without saying a word. The three British ladies looked aghast at each other, and “Well, 1 never !” came from their lips simultaneously.

They took the spoons out of the cups and put them backs in their proper place.

The waiter passed again, and with on impassive face repeated his previous performance.

He said something in Dutch which they failed to comprehend and which accordingly failed to allay their indignation. The waiter just shrugged his shoulders and passed on. Then out came the spqons again with a defiant clatter.

At that point I thought it charitable to intervene. I told them that the waiter had put tho spoons in tho coffee so as to break the surface of the fluid and prevent it spilling over. As qld travellers know, it is quite a usual thing to do. The coffee clings to the spoon and resists the swaying more* After my explanation the apoona were left in the : oflee, and when the waiter passed again one of the ladies gave him a smile and a threepenny-bit.-Correspondent of the “Manchester Guardian.”