human
If this dinner were to celebrate my engagement to Lucien, what a difference it would make! how happy I should be! But they haven't even invited poor Lucien; and yet, only last night, father sent him from the Barrière du Trône to Passy, and didn't even pay for a seat on top of an omnibus!
gpt
We must arrange these carefully,
human
What are you going to do with those slips of paper, madame?
gpt
They are to show each person the seat he or she is to take at table.
human
Why, can't they sit wherever they choose?
gpt
No; it is good form to put each guest's name at his place beforehand; that makes it more convenient about taking seats.
human
Then I beg you, madame, not to put me beside this stranger, this Italian count.
gpt
On the contrary, Juliette, you must sit beside him. As he is coming here for the purpose of meeting you, he must be able to talk with you.
human
You know that I never talk, madame; put him beside you, he will be much better pleased.
gpt
But, Juliette, I am not the one whom this gentleman wants to marry.
human
That's a great pity!
gpt
What a child it is! The best I can do is to place the count between us, at my left; at my right, I shall put the man who deals in sugar, who is very agreeable, so Madame Putiphar assures me. Whom shall I put next to him? It's very embarrassing! It's a regular science to arrange your company right.
human
Put Monsieur Brid'oison there.
gpt
No, we must have a lady next to a man; the sexes should be mingled as much as possible. Ah! Madame Putiphar; this gentleman knows her, and he will be very glad to talk with her. And then--great heavens! what a puzzle! Ah! Monsieur Callé--that will do; Monsieur Callé, then Madame Brid'oison, Monsieur Mirotaine, Madame Trichon, and Monsieur Brid'oison. There! it's all done.
human
But that makes only ten, and there are eleven plates. You have forgotten to write a slip for one guest.
gpt
Pshaw! whom have I forgotten?
human
Artaban--young Brid'oison.
gpt
Oh! to be sure; he's not a pleasant neighbor, that urchin; his father makes him do gymnastic exercises, and he's always thrashing about to show his limberness and strength; he keeps kicking you if you're near him.
human
Put him next to me; I don't care.
gpt
No; we'll put him between his father and Madame Trichon; they will make him keep quiet. Now, it's arranged as well as possible. I must run and finish dressing; for it's after four o'clock. And you, Juliette?
human
I am all ready, madame.
gpt
But your hair is done very badly; and not an ornament in it--not a flower!
human
What's the use?
gpt
What do you say? what's the use? when it's a matter of marrying a millionaire count!
human
You know perfectly well that I love Lucien.
gpt
Oh! bless my soul! love your Lucien all you please, but marry the count; that's all we ask of you.