Part 17 (1/2)
Out of their twenty thousand lire they have to keep a carriage.”
”Those that aren't rich must have a hard time.”
”Just imagine, some of them have to live in a third-floor apartment.
There have been some that bought their red robes second-hand.”
”Really?”
”Really.”
”Are those robes so expensive?”
”Yes, they are expensive. Quite. They are made of a special cloth manufactured in Cologne.”
”Are there many Cardinals who are not of rich families?”
”A great many.”
”Well, you people have ruined that job.”
They went to Trastevere and there they took the tram. Preciozi got out at the Piazza Venezia and Caesar went on to the end of the Via n.a.z.ionale.
_A TALK ABOUT MONEY_
”Where have you been?” asked Laura, on seeing him.
”I've been taking a walk with the abbe.”
”It's evident that you find him more interesting than us women.”
”Preciozi is very interesting. He is a Machiavellian. He has a candour that is a.s.sumed and a dulness that is a.s.sumed. He plays a little comedy to get out of paying, at the cafe or in the tram. He is splendid. I think, if you will pardon me for saying so, that the Italians are d.a.m.ned close.”
”People that have no money are forced to be economical.”
”No, that isn't so. I have known people in Madrid who made three pesetas a day, and spent two treating a friend.”
”Yes, out of ostentation, out of a desire to show off. I don't like pretentious people.”
”Well, I believe I prefer them to skinflints.”
”Yes, that's very Spanish. A man wasting money, while his wife and children are dying of hunger.... The man who won't learn the value of money is not the best type.”
”Money is filthy. If it were only possible to abolish it!”
”For my part, son, I should like less to have it abolished than to have a great deal of it.” ”I shouldn't. If I could carry out my plans, all I should need afterwards would be a hut to live in, a garret.”
”Our ideas differ.”