— But plainly. Why all this evasiveness? Why not be simple and frank — I won't mock you; if I laugh, it's nerves and nothing more. I am the most wretched creature alive and no one takes pity on me.

— But plainly. Why all this evasiveness? Why not be simple and frank — I won't mock you; if I laugh, it's nerves and nothing more. I am the most wretched creature alive and no one takes pity on me.
— You, wretched?
— I, wretched.
— Ha! ha! ha!
— Idiot.
— Thank you.
— So you no longer find me pleasing...
— You please me.