"
Carlotta thought this very funny and laughed joyously. I laughed
too, out of courtesy, at Judith's bitter sarcasm, and turned the
conversation, but Pasquale was not to be baulked of his toast.
"Here's to our dear friend Faust; may he grow younger and younger
every day."
We clinked glasses. Judith sighed when the performance was
concluded.
"That is one of the many advantages of being a man. If you do
sell your soul to the devil you can see that you get proper
payment. A woman is paid in promissory notes, which are
dishonoured when they fall due."
I contested the proposition. The irony of this peculiarly
painful revel lay in the air of gaiety it seemed necessary to
maintain. A miserable business is civilisation!
"Did you ever hear of a woman getting youth out of such a
bargain?" she retorted with some vehemence.
"As women systematically underpay cabmen," said I, "so do they
try to underpay the devil; and he is one too many for them."
"I am afraid," said Pasquale, "that the old days of shrewd
bargains are over.
Pages:
255
256
257
258
259
260
261
262
263
264
265
266
267
268
269
270
271
272
273
274
275
276
277
278
279