"But what?"
"I simply don't care anything for society."
"Our stupid society, you mean."
"No, I mean any society. I like individuals but I don't care for sets."
"Oh, and you are going to rob me of the distinction of showing you off. Very well, Sir."
"I wouldn't be a distinction—more of a humiliation."
"We'll see when the time comes. You have no idea what a source of—what shall I say? Pleasure—gratification you have been to me."
"Do you really mean it?"
"Mean it? Why shouldn't I? You have helped me to pick things to pieces; and we can have a great time when you know the people here well enough to gossip about them. It's always interesting to hear what a stranger has to say of one's old acquaintances."
"Yes, if he speaks what he conceives to be the truth. The truth is spicy and not infrequently malicious."