human
You recognized him, of course?
gpt
Who? I asked.
human
You mean the big working-man that spoke? Who is he?
gpt
So you didn't recognize him? said the count.
human
Well, well, but of course all the rest did. Workingman! It is Field Marshal Hindenburg. It means of course that the same old crowd are back again. That was Ludendorf standing below. I saw it all at once. Perhaps it is the only way. But as for me I shall not go back: I am too deeply compromised: it would be death.
gpt
Do you remember, he said,
human
Very well, indeed, I answered.
gpt
You were one of the German waiters, or rather, one of the German officers disguised as waiters at McConkey's Restaurant in Toronto.
human
I was, said the count.
gpt
I carried the beer on a little tray and opened oysters behind a screen. It was a wunderschoen life. Do you think, my good friend, you could get me that job again?
human
Boobenstein, I exclaimed,
gpt
I can get you reinstated at once. It will be some small return for your kindness to me in Germany.
human
Good, said the count.
gpt
Let us sail at once for Canada.
human
One thing, however, I said.
gpt
You may not know that since you left there are no longer beer waiters in Toronto because there is no beer. All is forbidden.
human
Let me understand myself, said the count in astonishment.
gpt
No beer!
human
None whatever.
gpt
Wine, then?
human
Absolutely not. All drinking, except of water, is forbidden.
gpt
My friend, he said.
human
I bid you farewell.
gpt
Where are you going to?
human
My choice is made, said Von Boobenstein.
gpt
There are worse things than death. I am about to surrender myself to the German authorities.
human
Come on to Constantinople and write US up too.