I soon learned that he was a weaver in the mills, an Englishman by birth, and we had not talked two minutes before I found that, while he had never had any education in the schools, he had been a gluttonous reader of books--all kind of books--and, what is more, had thought about them and was ready with vigorous (and narrow) opinions about this author or that.

And he knew more about economics and sociology, I firmly believe, than half the college professors.

A truly remarkable man.
It was an Italian restaurant, and I remember how, in my hunger, I assailed the generous dishes of boiled meat and spaghetti.

A red wine was served in large bottles which circulated rapidly around the table, and almost immediately the room began to fill with tobacco smoke.

Every one seemed to be talking and laughing at once, in the liveliest spirit of good fellowship.