human
It is long since I have tasted such wine, _je ne vous dis que ça_. In Italy the _vino d'Asti_ is excellent, but this is still better. Ah! Italy; it is splendid to be there!
gpt
Yes, there they know how to appreciate music and artists,
human
No, he replied.
gpt
There, as far as music is concerned, I cannot give anybody satisfaction. The Italians are themselves musicians,--none like them in the world; but I know only Tyrolese songs. They are something of a novelty to them, though.
human
Well, you find rather more generous gentlemen there, don't you? I went on to say, anxious to make him share in my resentment against the guests of the Schweitzerhof.
gpt
There it would not be possible to find a big hotel frequented by rich people, where, out of a hundred listening to an artist's singing, not one would give him any thing.
human
It is not every time that you get any thing, he remarked;
gpt
But still, how can they help giving?
human
That's nothing, he said;
gpt
What? That's incredible!
human
Yes, it is true. If you have been warned once, and are found singing again, they may put you in jail. I was kept there three months once,
gpt
Oh! that is terrible! I exclaimed.
human
What was the reason?
gpt
That was in consequence of one of the new republican laws, he went on to explain, growing animated.
human
They cannot comprehend here that a poor fellow must earn his living somehow. If I were not a cripple, I would work. But what harm do I do to any one in the world by my singing? What does it mean? The rich can live as they wish, _un pauvre tiaple_ like myself can't live at all. What kind of laws are these republican ones? If that is the way they run, then we don't want a republic: isn't that so, my dear sir? We don't want a republic, but we want--we simply want--we want --he hesitated a little,--
gpt
You are not drinking,
human
I know what you wish, he said, blinking his eyes at me, and threatening me with his finger.
gpt
You wish to make me drunk, so as to see what you can get out of me; but no, you sha'n't have that gratification.
human
Why should I make you drunk? I inquired.
gpt
All I wished was to give you a pleasure.
human
No, no, said he, looking at me with a beseeching expression in his moist eyes.
gpt
I was only joking.