human
It's this dinner that irritates me, and makes a brute of me!
gpt
Just remember that you are going to get rid of your daughter--to marry her to a millionaire Italian count, Count Miflorès, who will give us some superb presents, I am sure, when he gives her her wedding gift.
human
You think that he'll give us something?
gpt
Madame Putiphar feels sure of it.
human
Then it's all right!
gpt
It is well worth a dinner.--By the way, monsieur, have you thought about the wine?
human
The wine! why, I have some in the cellar.
gpt
Yes, our regular table wine, which is very bad.
human
The more water you put in it, the better it is.
gpt
But we must have claret with the second course, and champagne at dessert; everybody does.
human
That's it: everybody does! Luckily, I know a man who makes champagne at one franc twenty-five the bottle.
gpt
It must be perfectly awful stuff!
human
He assured me that it was delicious and foamed like beer.
gpt
As for claret, somebody sent you a basket of twenty-five bottles, either in payment of a debt, or as a present; but I know that it's excellent.
human
Yes; but I am keeping it for some time when I may be sick.
gpt
You will give me two bottles of it, monsieur; you must.
human
Two bottles! isn't one enough?
gpt
No; we shall be eleven at table.
human
As many as that?
gpt
When you entertain strangers, you don't give them just a family dinner; that's too informal. I have invited all the Brid'oisons; we have dined there several times, and this was a good opportunity to return their courtesy; besides, you have business relations with Monsieur Brid'oison.
human
Oh! he finds me a borrower now and then. Will they bring their son?
gpt
Of course; they are mad over him, as you know. Naturally, we shall have Madame Putiphar; it is she who is arranging the match; and then, she knows the count's intimate friend, a very jovial young man, so it seems. Then I have invited your sister, Madame Trichon; she's an excellent woman.
human
Yes, and a widow, without any children, whose heir I should be, if she should happen to die. But she's very hearty--she eats a lot!
gpt
To offset her, I have invited Monsieur Callé; he's a very distinguished young man, and he eats almost nothing.
human
Do you really mean it? But what is the explanation of your inviting him?
gpt
He is a very good musician; he sings well, and plays the flageolet. In the evening it will be pleasant to have a little music.
human
Does the young man accompany himself on the flageolet when he sings?
gpt
No, but he can play for the dancing; I have invited several more people to come in in the evening; and if they want to dance----
human
Whom have you invited?
gpt
The Boulard ladies, your friend Dubotté and his wife----
human
Oh! he never comes!
gpt
He said that he would try to come this time. Then the brothers Bridoux. There'll be quite a lot of us. But we shall have to pass round refreshments during the evening.
human
Very well; you can give them cocoa.
gpt
No, monsieur, no! Cocoa does well enough when we have nobody but your sister and Monsieur Callé, who is very abstemious; but for this Italian count we must have something else.
human
Well, lemonade, then. Squeeze a lemon in two or three quarts of water; it's very refreshing.
gpt
That's my affair, monsieur; I will think it over, and find a way to provide what is right. You will dress, monsieur, I trust?
human
Ain't I all right as I am?
gpt
No, certainly not; your linen is soiled, and your waistcoat all covered with spots. You must put on a black coat.
human
I don't own such a thing.
gpt
You don't own a black coat?
human
What's the use, when I never wear one? But I have a black overcoat that I've only had five years; it's the same as new.
gpt
Well, monsieur, dress as well as you can. I have told your daughter to beautify herself, too; she must make a favorable impression on this Monsieur Miflorès!
human
Oh! young girls are always coquettish enough.
gpt
As for myself, I shall try to make myself presentable and to do you credit. I must now see how things are going in the kitchen.