"Allen, Grant - Miss Cayley's Adventures 03 - The Adenture of the Inquisitive American" - читать интересную книгу автора (Allen Grant)

and Kingly for-this-contest-provided decree is distinctly in
the masculine gender stated.'

'Pardon me, Herr Over-Superintendent,' I replied, pulling
out a copy of Law 97 on the subject, with which I had duly
provided myself, 'if you will to Section 45 of the
Bicycles-Circulation-Regulation-Act your attention turn, you
will find it therein expressly enacted that unless any
clause be anywhere to the contrary inserted, the word
"rider," in the masculine gender put, shall here the word
"rideress" in the feminine to embrace be considered.'

For, anticipating this objection, I had taken the
precaution to look the legal question up beforehand.

'That is true,' the Herr Over-Superintendent observed, in
a musing voice, gazing down at me with relenting eyes. 'The
masculine habitually embraces the feminine.' And he brought
his massive intellect to bear upon the problem once more
with prodigious concentration.

I seized my opportunity. 'Let me start, at least,' I
urged, holding out the Act. 'If I win, you can the matter
more fully with the Kaiserly and Kingly Governments
hereafter argue out.'

'I guess this will be an international affair,' Mr.
Hitchcock remarked, well pleased. 'It would be a first-rate
advertizement for the Great Manitou ef England and Germany
were to make the question into a casus belli. The United
States could look on, and pocket the chestnuts.'

'Two minutes to go,' the official starter with the watch
called out.

'Fall in, then, Fraulein Englanderin,' the Herr Over-
Superintendent observed, without prejudice, waving me into
line. He pinned a badge with a large number, 7, on my
dress. 'The Kaiserly and Kingly Governments shall on the
affair of the starting's legality hereafter on my report
more at leisure pass judgment.'

The lieutenant in undress uniform drew back a little

'Oh, if this is to be woman's play,' he muttered, 'then
can a Prussian officer himself by competing not into
contempt bring.'

I dropped a little curtsy. 'If the Herr Lieutenant is
afraid even to enter against an Englishwoman----' I said,