Chivalry lives on - here and there

I think I have taken to "micro-blogging" (in those wretched sneer quotes) today. But yesterday afternoon I was walking home and as I walked past a local high school, surrounded by a high wire fence, I could see a fellow on the other side of the fence with a big bag gathering up the rubbish that had accumulated along the fence. As I came along side of him, on my side of the fence, he swept his cap off, with a small bow of his head, and said "have a good afternoon", replacing his cap as I walked on. In my bewilderment I scrambled to gather enough wits together to smile widely and say "you too". (If I could do a retake I'd say "why thank you, kind sir".) I continued walking, wishing I could write a letter of admiration to his parents.