FAUX PAS
T.E. Lawrence, British writer, poet, philosopher, soldier, [Lawrence of Arabia of WWI fame], was a friend of the poet Thomas Hardy and his wife. Later in life after the fame had worn thin, he took a job as an aircraftsman in the Royal Air Force. He had even changed his name to Shaw and was living incognito. From time to time he would visit the Hardy’s at their country estate, wearing his R.A.F. uniform. On one occasion this visit coincided with a visit of the Mayoress of Dorchester. The Mayoress was bitterly affronted that she had to submit to meeting and having tea with a common aircraftsman, for she had no idea who the aircraftsman was. In French she said to Mrs. Hardy that never in all her born days had she had to sit down to tea with a private soldier. No one said anything; until T.E. Lawrence said in perfect French, “I beg your pardon, Madame, but can I be…
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