Country of the Moors

'A French story is told of an Englishman and a Frenchman, who met one rainy night in an inn, and sat before the fire drying and warming themselves. After one or two attempts at conversation, the Frenchman gave it up. Presently the stooped politely forward. "I beg your pardon, sir," he said: "some of the ash of your cigar has fallen on your knee." "Well," said the Englishman, "don't see that it concerns you. Why, the tail of your coat has been on fire for the last half-hour, and I said nothi...