Becoming conscious of Lorelei's gaze, her escort looked down,
showing his teeth in a grin that was not of pleasure.

"You like it?" he asked.

"It's beautiful, but--the extravagance is almost criminal."

"Don't tell me how many starving newsboys or how many poor
families the cost of this supper would support for a year. I hate
poor people. I like to see 'em starve. If you fed them this year
they'd starve next, so--what's the difference? Nevertheless,
Jarvis HAS surprised me." He paused, and his eyes, as he stared
again at the steel magnate, were mocking. "You'll admit it was a
dazzling idea--coming from a rolling-mill boss. Now for the
ortolans and the humming-bird tongues. No doubt there's a pearl in
every wine-cup. Prepare to have your palate tickled with a feather
when your appetite flags."

"That's what the Romans did, isn't it?"

"Ah, you are a student as well as an artist, Miss Knight."

"I thought you were going to be pleasant, but you're not, are
you?" Lorelei was smiling fixedly.

"No, quite the opposite. Thank God, I'm a dyspeptic."

"Then why did you come here?"

"Why did those birds come? Why did you come?"