AN INTERVIEW WITH THE COUNTESS KAROLYI

An interview with Countess Karolyi was very difficult to get, as she is not allowed to enter this country and I am not allowed to leave it. So we met at the drug store on the corner.

The Countess being Hungarian, it seemed that the least I could do would be to conduct the interview in her native tongue. It certainly wasn’t the best I could do.

“Hogy szercted americat?” I began, as a feeler. It wasn’t much, as feelers go, but I am not very strong.

“Közönöm nomigon nagyon,” she replied, blushing prettily. I had not looked for this frankness. I glanced out over the blue Mediterranean, obviously waiting for her to break the silence. I had not long to wait.

“Asz önök epülitegi igon maghsak,” she said, so low that I could hardly hear her. It was like a bombshell.

I wheeled and confronted her.

“Gindolja hogy a Ni holgye ink szójeck talán?” The situation demanded it. I have no apologies to offer.

Fortunately for the interview, the bell in the monastery tolled eleven at just this moment. There was one extra stroke—for the war tax.

“Hánz ora?” I asked, more for something to say than anything else.

Countess Karolyi glanced over her shoulder apprehensively. I had evidently confused her.

“Tisz peresel mult öt,” was all that she could reply. But it was enough. I had fainted.

“Do you mind if we speak English from now on?” she said when I had opened my eyes. “You speak Hungarian so fast that it is difficult to follow you.”

I smiled. “Look!” I said, pointing to the courtyard below. They were changing the guard, a ceremony which consisted of putting a false beard and blue glasses on the watchman. It certainly changed him, except that his nose gave him away.

“Maqyen szcretez Te enzom?” I asked. It was a silly thing to say, but it seemed pat at the moment. Now I realize that it was mike.

Her reply was characteristic. “Nom magyen,” she said and hid her face.

We reached home at eight o’clock, tired but happy, and all agreed that it had been the most interesting hike the Club had taken thus far.