Silence, alas! is not the reproof of kings alone.

It does pretty well for everybody.

I stumbled on two or three more phrases quite as flatly infelicitous, and he received them with the same faint smile and the same silence.
To escape from my embarrassment: "Sir," I said, "I came also to ask for a piece of information." "I am at your service, sir." "Monsieur Flamaran has probably written to you on the matter ?" "Flamaran ?" "Yes, three days ago." "I have received no letter; have I, Jeanne ?" "No, father." "This is not the first time that my excellent colleague has promised to write a letter and has not written it.

Never mind, sir; your own introduction is sufficient." "Sir, I am about to take my doctor's degree." "In arts ?" "No, in law; but I have a bachelor's degree in arts." "You will follow it up with a degree in medicine, no doubt ?" "Really, sir--" "Why--Why not, since you are collecting these things?
You have, then, a bent toward literature ?" "So I have been told." "A pronounced inclination--hey?
to scribble verse." "Ah, yes!" "The old story; the family driving a lad into law; his heart leaning toward letters; the Digest open on the table, and the drawers stuffed with verses! Isn't that so ?" I bowed.

He glanced toward his daughter.
"Well, sir, I confess to you that I don't understand--don't understand at all--this behavior of yours.