I confessed that I was bewildered。 He smiled。 “You may；” he said； “have heard of the Anglo…American Social Bureau？” I had not。 He explained to me that of the thousands of Americans who annually pass through England there are many hundreds who have no English friends。 In the old days they used to bring letters of introduction。 But the English are so inhospitable that these letters are hardly worth the paper they are written on。 “Thus；” said Le Ros； “the ； and most of them have plenty of money to spend。 The ； alas！ A director。 If I were； I should be a very rich man indeed。 I am only an employee。 But even so I do very well。 I am one of the seers…off。”txt電子書分享平臺
送 行（6）
Again I asked for enlightenment。 “Many Americans；” he said； “cannot afford to keep friends in England。 But they can all afford to be seen off。 The fee is only five pounds （twenty…five dollars） for a single traveller； and eight pounds （forty dollars） for a party of two or more。 They send that in to the Bureau； giving the date of their departure； and a description by which the seer…off can identify them on the platform。 And then—well； then they are seen off。”
“But is it worth？” I exclaimed。 “Of course it is worth it；” said Le Ros。 “It prevents them from feeling ‘out of it。’ It earns them the respect of the guard。 It saves them from being despised by their fellow…passengers—the people who are going to be on the boat。 It gives them a footing for the whole voyage。 Besides； it is a great pleasure in itself。 You saw me seeing that young lady off。 Didn’t you think I did it beautifully？”“Beautifully；” I admitted。 “I envied you。 There was I—” “Yes； I can imagine。 There were you； shuffling from head to foot； staring blankly at your friend； trying to make conversation。 I know。 That’s how I used t