"That is something like! Now you see, Servais, you can't get out of it. We must improvise a first class charade for this evening."
"A charade! Before Wagner, we two alone?"
"With Richter at the piano."
"But we shall be absurd! We shall be speechless, like idiots."
"On the other hand the presence of the Master will inspire us. Moreover, we have had experience at your house in Munich, and it is very certain that only we two (you especially) have shown any talent of this kind."
"It is foolish, impossible, abominable," groaned Servais, in the depths of dismay. "I would rather throw myself into the lake."
"It is not a drama that they want of us, but a farce.. .. Oh, come, they will not be critical, and perhaps we shall have the glory of amusing the Master."
He raised his head abruptly, tucking his pale yellow locks behind his ears:
"Very well, so be it. Let us play a charade!"
"Ah, good! We must have everything arranged before supper. Let me tell the good news to Madam Cosima, and then we must get to work!"