human
As she, nevertheless, must be invited, it would perhaps be better to fix the day,
gpt
It cannot be this week, answers the Countess, counting over the days.
human
Thursday, Friday and Saturday are the days of the fair for the flooded people in Marienbad; Sunday, the ladies of the committee dine at the M----'s, Monday there are private theatricals at the M----'s, Thursday, the L----'s dine with me----
gpt
Well, invite them for Thursday, cries Scirocco.
human
She is really very nice, sings chansonettes like Judic; she will amuse you greatly.
gpt
Do you think so? cries the Countess.
human
Before Felix was married, L---- would hardly bow to him, how will it be now? No, Wednesday. Wednesday will be the best, but still I cannot exactly invite her _en famille_.
gpt
Hardly,
human
And whom can I ask to meet her? One has an antipathy to Felix, others to her---- the Countess laughs lightly and kindles a fresh cigarette.
gpt
One must be so careful--it would be very disagreeable for me if toward evening some one should accidentally come over from Marienbad, and should meet her here.
human
Have a warning fastened over the door as when one has small-pox in the house,
gpt
Invite the Garzins,
human
Yes, that is something, but a strange element is still desirable, remarks the Countess.
gpt
What do you say to the Klette?
human
I do not understand how respectable people can tolerate this poisonous old gossiping viper under their roofs,
gpt
Neither do I, replies Mimi Dey, obligingly,
human
I make you another proposition, Mimi, cries Pistasch:
gpt
Invite old Harfink by telegram; I think he will come by special train.
human
I should certainly do it, remarks she,
gpt
I met him once on the train, and thereupon he invited me to dinner,
human
And you accepted?
gpt
Why of course--I thought I should amuse myself as well as at the Carl Theatre. Yes--that was what I fancied. What a disappointment! The dinner was not bad, perfectly correct, alas! The wife spoke of nothing but the evils of the social question. I did not know where to look, and the husband spoke of nothing but the evils of his stomach. Except for that, they were both very charming, on my word. Paid me compliments to my face with a _sans gêne_. Bah! I was never very kindly disposed to Felix, but I pity him on account of this match. For my part I should rather marry into a Hottentot family than such people.
human
Present company always excepted,