human
What were you reading when it was my misfortune to interrupt you?
gpt
Goethe’s ’Wahrheit und Dichtung.’
human
Do you know the book?
gpt
Only selections from it.
human
Well, how do you like the touching story of Gretchen?
gpt
I do not know it.
human
You have it open in your hands.
gpt
No, I was reading the coronation of Joseph II., at Frankfort.
human
Let me see it.
gpt
It is even so! But look how ugly that is! Just where Goethe describes the emperor ascending the throne, there is an ugly green spot. Doubtless you pressed the green rose leaves too tenderly upon the leaf of the book; the Emperor, Goethe, and Miss Mertens will hardly forgive you for it.
human
That spot is old—I did not touch the rose.
gpt
But you smiled at sight of it.
human
Because I thought it came from Miss Mertens.
gpt
Ah, there is something touching in this friendship! It must have been a great disappointment when, instead of your friend, you saw my cousin’s handsome face behind you.
human
Yes.
gpt
Because I think that there are limits to every right.
human
I did not know that I was making use of my right just at present.
gpt
But you will know it if you will ask yourself whether you would address me thus harshly in my father’s house.