After returning to Minsk Street from the factory district, Klein had a simple lunch, went straight to sleep, and slept until the sky darkened and evening came before he woke naturally.
But even so, he still felt tired, truly tired from the bottom of his heart.
After spacing out for a while, Klein went down to the first floor, lit the gas lamp, and was about to sit on the sofa to read the day's newspaper, but his eyes swept over and saw an invitation card on the coffee table.
He started for a moment, then realized that this was a dinner invitation that Mrs. Staelin Summer had sent her maid to deliver a few days ago.
"I almost forgot about this… a disguised matchmaking banquet…" Klein put down the invitation, went to the first-floor bathroom, and washed his face with cold water to make himself look more refreshed.
Compared to when he first arrived in Backlund, he now had thicker black stubble around his lips and above his jaw. Although this didn't completely erase his scholarly aura, it made him look more mature and a bit rougher.
No one who really knows me wouldn't be able to recognize me face to face… Klein let out a silent sigh, wiped his face dry, and placed his gold-rimmed glasses on his nose.
He rested a bit, changed into a crisp-collared shirt, put on a black tailcoat, then formally donned a half-top silk hat, took his cane and the invitation, and went out to turn into the neighbor's house.
Amidst the jingling doorbell, he saw the maid Julian open the door and saw Staelin with her blonde hair piled high and silver earrings dangling from her earlobes.
Klein took off his hat, bowed, and said politely:
"Mrs. Summer, you look very beautiful today."
Although his words were quite perfunctory, Staelin was indeed much prettier than usual today. In terms of dressing up, her abilities seemed to have improved by leaps and bounds.
That incident of catching her husband cheating must have made her and Mrs. Mary true "besties," and the latter was a rich man worth tens of thousands of pounds, currently a member of the Kingdom's Air Pollution Investigation Committee, acquainted with many dignitaries, and certainly had enough knowledge in makeup, clothing, accessories, etc... Klein nodded to himself in understanding.
The corners of Staelin's mouth uncontrollably turned up:
"This is a new earring I just bought; it cost a whole 8 soli."
Madam, your style hasn't changed... Klein smiled and handed his hat, cane, and coat to the maid.
The fireplace and pipes in the house brought warmth like early summer, and many young ladies and women were dressed in less revealing clothing.
"Luke is chatting about business with a few friends; he asked me to apologize for him." Staelin performed her duties as hostess. "You go ahead and eat first. I'll introduce you to some well-bred young ladies later."
Actually, that's not necessary, just let me eat in peace... Klein smiled and said:
"I can already smell the food."
Because there were many guests, more than twenty, the dinner was held as a buffet. Klein took a plate, walked around, and found that the food was even more abundant than before:
Cold salmon, chicken pie, pea stewed lamb, salted breast, curry dishes, roast beef, boiled turkey, ox tongue pie, ham, salad, and cream cake...
The drinks were still champagne and red wine.
This suited his carnivorous appetite. Klein heaped a large plate, didn't go looking for people to chat with, but squeezed into a corner and savored it slowly.
"The food isn't as good as the chef's at the Cragg Club..." he occasionally commented inwardly.
When he was about to go for seconds, he was finally spotted by Mrs. Staelin Summer.
At the same time, he saw a familiar face beside her: the serious-looking lawyer Ulrich.
Right, Ulrich is also a bachelor... Klein smiled and approached, initiating a greeting:
"How is Mrs. Doris recovering?"
Ulrich tugged at his tie awkwardly and said:
"She'll be discharged next week."
"That's great." Klein sighed earnestly.
At this point, Staelin had brought a few young ladies over and introduced them:
"This is Mr. Ulrich Cooper, a senior solicitor. His weekly salary is at least 3 pounds, and he often gets commissions from cases. His annual income must be over 200 pounds, and he's young and promising; he's likely to become a barrister in the future."
"This is Mr. Sherlock Moriarty, a famous detective. His income isn't stable, but each case is generous, like 10 pounds, 50 pounds."
Madam, this is a bit too direct... Klein couldn't help complaining inwardly.
And beside him, Ulrich clearly frowned.
Staelin, completely unbothered, continued:
"Miss Sarah Taylor, both her parents are teachers at grammar schools..."
"Miss Angela Watson, her father is a clerical staff at the Backlund Police Department..."
"..."
Klein smiled mechanically and greeted each lady.
When Staelin finished, Ulrich said in a deep voice:
"Mrs. Summer, it's not polite to discuss people's income in front of them."
Staelin wasn't offended and responded very seriously:
"No, it's very important."
"If you can like each other and start a family, income is an indispensable foundation."
"Think about it, you need meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, white bread, cream, butter, and other food every day, right? You'd spend at least 1 pound 5 soli on that per week, and that's not counting alcohol. Besides, you need to rent a decent house, which costs close to 1 pound per week. Then you have to buy water, gas, charcoal, soap, and other things, and consider transportation costs, which add up to about 10 soli."
"That's the most basic expenses. Isn't your wife going to concerts and plays?"
"And don't you buy new clothes every year? Young ladies, I believe a family needs to spend at least 30 pounds per year on this to be considered decent."
"In addition, there's the maid's wages, children's education costs, medical expenses, and some necessary decorative purchases."
"Only with an annual income of over 200 pounds can you meet these needs and have a happy family."
"So, to avoid wasting your time and causing misunderstandings, I think it's necessary to introduce these details up front."
As a lawyer, Ulrich couldn't find a rebuttal for a moment, but he only had a serious and proper expression anyway.
How straightforward... But good manners would be to tell both parties such information privately. Of course, I understand why you're introducing it directly, Mrs. Summer... Klein forced a smile and said:
"Yes, income is important."
"Only with an annual income of over 400 pounds can you host a dinner party of this level and give your wife beautiful dresses and exquisite earrings."