Against the Rules

An official luncheon was given in London for Marlene Dietrich on the occasion of her arrival in the capital. Marlene forgot that at official banquets smoking is not permitted until the toast to King George has been drunk, and she smoked a first cigarette, then a second after the roast — without noticing the fiery glances her host was directing at her. After the fruit was served he could bear it no longer; he rose, drank the King's toast, then turned to Marlene and said: Ladies and gentlemen, now you may smoke. Marlene blushed, coughed, hid her head in her hands, and apologized — but she did not put out the cigarette...