Alpha Book

"
"There are other places, nearer than St. Moritz," suggested Orsino. "Why
not go to Sorrento?"
"There was such a place once--but my friends have found it out.
Nevertheless, I might go there. It is better to suffer friendship in the
spirit than fever in the body. But I have a reason for staying here just
at present--a very good one."
"Without indiscretion--?"
"No, certainly not without considerable indiscretion. Take some more
wine. When intoxication is bliss it is folly to be sober, as the proverb
says. I cannot get tipsy, but you may, and that will be almost as
amusing. The main object of drinking wine is that one person should make
confidences for the other to laugh at--the one enjoys it quite as much
as the other."
"I would rather be the other," said Orsino with a laugh.
"In all cases in life it is better to be the other person," observed
Spicca, thoughtfully, though the remark lacked precision.
"You mean the patient and not the agent, I suppose?"
"No. I mean the spectator.


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