Then looking at me with great curiosity, he asked if I came from
the north country.
"Yes," said I, "I certainly come from there."
"I am glad to hear it," said he, "for I have long wished to see a
man from the north country."
"Did you never see one before?" said I.
"Never in my life," he replied; "men from the north country seldom
show themselves in these parts."
"Well," said I; "I am not ashamed to say that I come from the
north."
"Ain't you? Well, I don't know that you have any particular reason
to be ashamed, for it is rather your misfortune than your fault;
but the idea of any one coming from the north - ho, ho!"
"Perhaps in the north," said I, "they laugh at a man from the
south."
"Laugh at a man from the south! No, no; they can't do that."
"Why not?" said I; "why shouldn't the north laugh at the south as
well as the south at the north?"
"Why shouldn't it? why, you talk like a fool. How could the north
laugh at the south as long as the south remains the south and the
north the north? Laugh at the south! you talk like a fool, David,
and if you go on in that way I shall be angry with you. However,
I'll excuse you; you are from the north, and what can one expect
from the north but nonsense?
