human
Well, Monsieur Plays, said the young man, bowing to him,
gpt
Yes; I am watching it rather closely.
human
Are you studying the fine points of whist?
gpt
I study everything.
human
You must be a fine whist player.
gpt
On the contrary, I don't understand the game yet; for ten years, I've been watching it; but I hope that, by dint of watching, I shall learn it finally. My wife absolutely insists on my learning it; that is why I never lose a chance to look on.
human
Speaking of madame, Monsieur Plays, she seems to have become a _lionne_[O] in her retirement.
gpt
A _lionne_! my wife! Why, no; far from it, I assure you! on the contrary, her disposition has become more tractable; she is very mild and gentle now.
human
You don't understand me, Monsieur Plays; by _lionne_, we men of fashion mean an eccentric woman, one who is very far advanced in the modern ideas of progress.
gpt
What! you think my wife is advanced?
human
And, I may say, a woman who smokes. Isn't it a fact that Madame Plays indulges in that pleasure now?
gpt
My wife smoke! never! Oh! you are entirely mistaken. I can guess why you ask me that; you noticed that she smelt of tobacco, didn't you?
human
Faith! yes, Monsieur Plays, I did notice it; and, if I must tell you, I am not the only person in this company who has noticed it.
gpt
I believe you; oh! I can readily believe you, as I have noticed it myself, and this evening isn't the first time that my wife has exhaled an odor of smoking tobacco. Ever since she took me off to our country place, where we lived like bears, I have noticed that same odor; and I have said to myself more than once: 'My wife smells of tobacco, and it seems to me that the smell is getting stronger and stronger.'
human
And you haven't asked madame what caused it?
gpt
I beg your pardon; one day I ventured to say to her: 'Herminie, are you in the habit of smoking in private? if you are, don't mind me, I beg you; smoke as much as you please!'
human
Well?
gpt
Well, my wife considered my question very impertinent, and she punished me--that is to say, she ordered me not to---- But, excuse me, this seems to be a very interesting hand; a gentleman has just made the _odd_; I must try to understand.