“Perhaps he’ll dock the King for arriving after the whistle has blown.”
“Is there anything that you respect?”
“Nothing but you.”
They laughed and went up to Donna Beatrice and Tarsis to say pleasant things. An orchestra of picked players from La Scala made music, but the hum of talk and the laughter drowned all save the fortissimo attacks. Mario and the Cardinal stood near by that they might hear the quieter passages.
The Nobodies-in-particular continued:
“Do you know, I have an impression that the honey in the moon has curdled.”
“I didn’t know that honey curdled. Still, I’ll waive the point. Why do you think so?”
“Have you detected any sign of sweetness between them?”
“No; but would you have them bill and coo in public?”
“Certainly not. Nor would I have them cat and dog in public.”