Romsteck was well aware of the importance of the occasion.
"Yes, Herr President. The American shrub has been generously displayed in Frau Quackenbush's bedroom, and also elsewhere about the house. The staff have their instructions."
"It makes a pretty decoration," said Cointreau, admiring the sprays of goldenrod on the marble mantel. "Just matches my epaulettes. I also instructed Lorli to dress Fräulein Nyla in yellow, which will go well with these trousers. The sword must have been rather a nuisance to Dalmatian admirals. An awkward thing when you're trotting round a dry-dock." He removed the weapon and laid it on the table.
"And now, Herr President, suppose we run over our vocabulary while we can. Did you study the list of informal phrases I wrote down for you?"
Guadeloupe took out a sheet of paper and glanced over it anxiously.
"I tried. American seems an eccentric language."
