Page:Later Life (1919).djvu/132

124 are assembled at your dinner-table tonight! Did you choose them on purpose? Van Vreeswijck represents the Court aristocracy; your husband, let us say, the country aristocracy: it's the only word I can find for him; Gerrit the army; Brauws labour; I the middle-classes, the pure unadulterated capitalists; and your boy the future, the mysterious future! The ladies are not so mixed: next time, you must mix your ladies. . ."

"Mr. Brauws," Marianne asked, suddenly, "why aren't you driving a tram now?"

"Freule, to explain that, I should have to talk to you for two hours about myself; and you wouldn't be interested in the explanation . . ."

"Oh, yes!" said Marianne, flippantly. "If you had remained a tram-driver, your life would not have interested me. Now that you have resigned your rank as a workman and are eating pâté and drinking champagne with us, it does interest me. For it's just that evolution which attracts me . . ."

"Marianne!" said Paul, admonishing her.

"Not so fast, child: you're only a little girl and you mustn't discuss such questions. You'll be making Mr. Brauws afraid to take another mouthful! . . ."

Brauws was obviously a little annoyed; and Constance whispered:

"Marianne . . . don't talk like that . . ."

"But, Auntie . . ."