Sport: Monosyllabic Marathoner

In Helsingfors, Finland, Paavo Nurmi, monosyllabic marathoner, had his first interview with President Relander. The Finnish President, in all moments of conversational difficulty, turns to the formula of the catechism like those uncles who ask a child what he is studying, whether he loves his teacher, and so on, without listening to the answers. Chin in collar, Marathoner Nurmi stared at his hands.

“How did you like your stay in America?”

“Good.”

“What impression did President Coolidge make upon you?”

“Yankee.”

“Didn’t you get tired of making records?”

“No.”

“What did you think of sitting for a bust?”

“Nothing.”

“What did you think of the bust?”

“Very bad.”