I have heard an explanation for this adding/dropping of 'H' phenomenon, but I'm not sure I buy it completely. The theory is that the French speaker is in fact producing a sort of half-hearted-H in BOTH places. When our English/American ears EXPECT an "h" we note the lack of it, and when we expect no "h" we note its (faint) presence. This may be true, but somehow to me it doesn't feel true. Anyone out there buying it? Or besting it?