Signor Nobile came up to ask if the dinner had been satisfactory, and I had only pleasant words to say to him. Then my stockbroker drew a long breath, and was about to begin, when once more I interrupted him. "Pardon me," I said, "let me order coffee and liqueurs, and pay my bill. The orchestra is enjoying ten minutes' interval, and there will be, once the bill is paid, nothing to interrupt the flow of your discourse, nothing to mar my enjoyment of it."
This was the bill:—Two dinners, 10s.; one bottle 210, 16s. 6d.; liqueurs, 5s.; coffee, 1s.; total, £1: 12: 6. This paid, I prepared to enjoy a really good story. "There was a voter who would tell no one on which side he was going to vote," I commenced, to gently lead my stockbroker up to his story. But he looked at his watch. "Very sorry, my dear boy," he said, "but I have an appointment in two minutes' time I daren't break. I must tell you the story another day. It's a bit long, but you'll die with laughter when you hear it."
I have not as yet heard that voter story, and am still alive.
6th December.
[CHAPTER XXXV]
GOLDSTEIN'S (BLOOMFIELD STREET)
Hors-d'œuvre.
Smoked Salmon. Solomon Gundy.
Olives.
Soups.
Frimsell. Matsoklese.
Pease and beans.
Fish.
Brown stewed carp. White stewed gurnet.
Fried soles. Fried plaice.
Entrées.
Roast veal (white stew).
Filleted steak (brown stew).
Poultry.
Roast capon. Roast chicken.
Smoked beef. Tongue.
Vegetables.
Spinach. Sauerkraut.
Potatoes. Cucumbers.
Green salad.
Sweets.
Kugel. Stewed prunes.
Almond pudding.
Apple staffen.
When I looked at the above I groaned aloud. Was it possible, I thought, that any human being could eat a meal of such a length and yet live? I looked at my two companions, but they showed no signs of terror, so I took up knife and fork and bade the waiter do his duty.