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Sunday, 28 July 1878
Yesterday I had a suckling pig roasted and invited the Russians. One eats in the most irregular fashion — at least I do. I cannot stomach the filth they serve for dinner at one o'clock, or the vile things eaten at seven with tea.
Hier j'ai fait rôtir un cochon de lait et invité les Russes. On mange de la façon la plus irrégulière, du moins moi. Je ne puis avaler les saletés dont on dîne à une heure et les vilenies qu'on mange à sept heures avec le thé.
And today the Princes of Reuss came to call on our simpletons — who are now three. I did not so much as glance at them — whether from indifference or for effect.
They play roulette. Fat Afrossimoff loses, takes his tea, sighs — such a good-natured soul! The doctor, his English wife, Madame Abaza, Madame Outine, Madame Antonsky, Madame Rembelinsky — sickly, slow, thin, dark, extremely white and pink (naturally), black hair and a turned-up nose — my aunt, and finally I, utterly exhausted by the baths and by this colourless company...
They play roulette. Fat Afrossimoff loses, takes his tea, sighs — such a good-natured soul! The doctor, his English wife, Madame Abaza, Madame Outine, Madame Antonsky, Madame Rembelinsky — sickly, slow, thin, dark, extremely white and pink (naturally), black hair and a turned-up nose — my aunt, and finally I, utterly exhausted by the baths and by this colourless company...
Et aujourd'hui les princes de Reuss sont venus visiter nos nigauds qui sont trois. Je ne les ai pas seulement vus par indifférence ou par genre.