Once a reporter in London inquired about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s plans \x96 to
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When in Bahá'í history
London (today: London, UK)

Once a reporter in London inquired about ‘Abdu’l-Bahá’s plans to his astonishment the Master replied in English. The reporter commented on His good pronunciation, whereupon ‘Abdu’l-Bahá ‘rose up and, pacing the room, uttered a number of complicated English words, such as “hippopotamus”, and then laughingly said, “Very difficult English words I speak.”’
Source: Honnold, Annamarie, Vignettes from the Life of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, p. 174
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