She has the Art of Listening.

Now, the American girl looks at you, and just listens to you with her eyes fixed on you all the time.  You gather that, as far as she is concerned, the rest of the company are passing shadows.  She wants to hear what you have to say about Bi-metallism: her trouble is lest she may miss a word of it.  From a talk with an American girl one comes away with the conviction that one is a brilliant conversationalist, who can hold a charming woman spell-bound.  This may not be good for one: but while it lasts, the sensation is pleasant.

Even the American girl cannot, on all occasions, sweep from her path the cobwebs of old-world etiquette.  Two American ladies told me a sad tale of things that had happened to them not long ago in Dresden.  An officer of rank and standing invited them to breakfast with him on the ice.  Dames and nobles of the plus haut ton would be there.  It is a social function that occurs every Sunday morning in Dresden during the skating season.  The great lake in the Grosser Garten is covered with all sorts and conditions of people.  Prince and commoner circle and recircle round one another.  But they do not mix.  The girls were pleased.  They secured the services of an elderly lady, the widow of an analytical chemist: unfortunately, she could not skate.  They wrapped her up and put her in a sledge.  While they were in the garde robe putting on their skates, a German gentleman came up and bowed to them.

He was a nice young man of prepossessing appearance and amiable manners.  They could not call to mind his name, but remembered having met him, somewhere, and on more than one occasion.  The American girl is always sociable: they bowed and smiled, and said it was a fine day.  He replied with volubility, and helped them down on to the ice.  He was really most attentive.  They saw their friend, the officer of noble family, and, with the assistance of the German gentleman, skated towards him.  He glided past them.  They thought that maybe he did not know enough to stop, so they turned and skated after him.  They chased him three times round the pond and then, feeling tired, eased up and took counsel together.

“I’m sure he must have seen us,” said the younger girl.  “What does he mean by it?”

“Well, I have not come down here to play forfeits,” said the other, “added to which I want my breakfast.  You wait here a minute, I’ll go and have it out with him.”

He was standing only a dozen yards away.  Alone, though not a good performer on the ice, she contrived to cover half the distance dividing them.  The officer, perceiving her, came to her assistance and greeted her with effusion.