Tourist

'Twas in a village in Lorraine

Whose name I quite forget,

I found I needfully was fain

To buy a serviette.

I sought a shop wherein they sell

Such articles as these,

And told a smiling mademoiselle;

'I want a towel, please.'



'Of kinds,' said she, 'I've only two,'

And took the bundles down;

And one was coloured azure blue,

And one was khaki brown.

With doubt I scratched my hoary head;

The quality was right;

The size too, yet I gravely said:

'Too bad you haven't white.'



That pretty maid had sunny hair,

Her gaze was free from guile,

And while I hesitated there

She watched me with a smile.

Then as I went to take the blue

She said 'Non' meaning no.

'Ze khaki ones are best, M'sieu:

Ze dirts zey do not show.'