How did we come to speak of her?⁠—Yes, Herr Hofrat, I remember as though it was yesterday, how we met you in the garden, or, rather, you met us, for we were sitting on a bench⁠—I could show you the very bench, today, that we were sitting on⁠—we were sitting and smoking. Or, rather, I was smoking, for my cousin doesn’t smoke, oddly enough. You were smoking too, and we exchanged our brands, I recall. Your Brazil I found excellent; but I suspect one has to go about them a little gingerly, or something may happen as it happened to you that time with the two little imported⁠—when your bosom swelled with pride, and you nearly toddled off, you know. I may joke about it, since it turned out all right. I’ve ordered another couple of hundred of my Maria lately. I’m very dependent on her, she suits me in every respect. But the carriage and customs make the cost rather mount up⁠—so if you have anything good to suggest, Herr Hofrat, I’m ready to have a go at the domestic product⁠—I see some attractive weeds in the windows. Yes, we were privileged to look at your paintings, I remember the whole thing so well. And I was perfectly amazed at your oil technique, I’d never venture anything like it.