I got up, and asked what the devil he wanted.

He smiled, and turned up his long wristbands.
"Only to give you a lesson in politeness," said Gentleman Jones.
"What do you mean, sir?
How dare you-- ?" The answer was a smart slap on the face.

I instantly struck out in a state of fury--was stopped with great neatness--and received in return a blow on the head, which sent me down on the carpet half stunned, and too giddy to know the difference between the floor and the ceiling.
"Sir," said Gentleman Jones, smoothing down his wristbands again, and addressing me blandly as I lay on the floor, "I have the honor to inform you that you have now received your first lesson in politeness.

Always be civil to those who are civil to you.

The little matter of the caricature we will settle on a future occasion.