Chapter 144: Banquet Observations

Chapter One Hundred Forty-Four
Banquet Observations

After returning from the Factory Borough to Minsk Street, Klein ate a simple lunch, collapsed into bed, and slept until the sky darkened and evening arrived. Only then did he naturally wake.

But even after that, he still felt tired—tired from the very bottom of his heart.

After sitting blankly for a long while, Klein went down to the first floor, lit the gas lamp, and prepared to sit on the sofa and read today’s newspapers. But when his gaze swept across the room, he saw an invitation placed on the coffee table.

He froze at first, then quickly remembered. This was the dinner invitation Madam Stelyn Sammer had sent over through her maid a few days earlier.

“I nearly forgot about this… A disguised matchmaking banquet…”

Klein set down the invitation, walked to the first-floor washroom, and washed his face with cold water to make himself look much more energetic.

Compared with when he had first arrived in Backlund, thick black short whiskers had now grown around his lips and across his chin. Though they did not completely erase the scholarly air he naturally carried, they did make him seem more mature, and a little rougher.

Anyone who isn’t truly familiar with me will not be able to recognize me face to face anymore…

Klein exhaled soundlessly, dried his face, and placed his gold-rimmed glasses on the bridge of his nose.

After resting briefly, he changed into a shirt with a stiff, straight collar and paired it with a black tailcoat. Then he formally put on a half silk top hat, took his cane and invitation, and went out, turning toward the house next door.

Amid the ringing of the doorbell, he saw Julian, the maid who opened the door, and Stelyn, whose blonde hair had been piled high and who wore silver ornaments at her earlobes.

Klein removed his hat, bowed, and politely complimented her.

“Madam Sammer, you are very beautiful tonight.”

Although his words carried a strong perfunctory quality, Stelyn truly was much prettier than usual tonight. In the field of careful dressing, her ability seemed to have achieved a breakthrough.

It seems that after the adultery-catching incident, she and Madam Mary truly became “best friends.” The latter has a fortune of tens of thousands of pounds, has now entered the Kingdom Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Committee, and knows many dignitaries. She naturally has sufficient insight regarding makeup, clothing, accessories, and the like…

Klein nodded inwardly in dawning understanding.

The corners of Stelyn’s mouth rose in a way she could barely suppress.

“These are earrings I just bought. They cost a full eight soli.”

Madam, your style really has not changed at all…

Klein smiled and handed his hat, cane, and coat to the maid.

The fireplace and pipes made the house feel warm as early summer. Quite a few young ladies and married women wore dresses that were not especially conservative. Some exposed half their fair arms; others revealed a smooth, creamy expanse before the chest.

“Luke is discussing business with several friends and asked me to apologize on his behalf,” Stelyn said, dutiful as hostess. “You may eat first. Later, I will introduce several well-brought-up young ladies to you.”

That really is unnecessary. Just let me eat quietly…

Klein smiled.

“I can already smell the aroma of the food.”

Because there were many guests—over twenty—the dinner was held buffet-style. Klein took a plate and made a circuit, discovering that the food this time was even richer than before:

cold salmon, chicken pie, lamb with stewed peas, salted breast meat, curry dishes, roast beef, boiled turkey, beef-tongue pie, ham, salad, cream cake…

The wine was still champagne and red grape wine.

This suited a carnivore’s appetite very well. Klein picked up a large plate and did not seek anyone out for conversation. He shrank into a corner and slowly enjoyed the meal.

“Not as good as the Cragg Club chef’s cooking…”

From time to time, he made comments inside his heart.

When he was preparing to go for a second round, he was finally discovered by Stelyn Sammer.

At the same time, beside this lady, he saw a familiar person: Solicitor Jurgen, who wore a serious expression.

That’s right. Jurgen is also still a bachelor…

Klein smiled and approached, taking the initiative to ask, “How is Madam Doris recovering?”

Jurgen somewhat uncomfortably tugged at his bow tie.

“She should be discharged next week.”

“That is truly wonderful,” Klein said with sincere feeling.

At that moment, Stelyn had already led several young ladies over and began introducing them.

“This is Mr. Jurgen Cooper, a senior solicitor. He earns at least three pounds a week, and often receives commissions from cases. His annual income certainly exceeds two hundred pounds. He is also young and promising, and may very well become a barrister in the future.”

“This is Mr. Sherlock Moriarty, a well-known detective. His income is not stable, but each sum is generous—for example, ten pounds or fifty pounds.”

Madam, that introduction is far too direct…

Klein could not help grumbling inwardly.

Beside him, Jurgen very visibly furrowed his brows.

Stelyn, feeling there was nothing wrong at all, continued the introductions.

“Miss Sarah Taylor. Her parents are both grammar school teachers…”

“Angina Watson. Her father is a clerical employee at the Backlund Police Department…”

…

Klein smiled numbly and greeted each lady.

When Stelyn finished speaking, Jurgen said in a deep voice, “Madam Sammer, mentioning someone’s income in person is not a polite thing to do.”

Stelyn did not become angry. She answered very seriously, “No. This is very important.

“If you like one another and establish a family, income is an indispensable foundation.

“Think about it. Every day, a household needs meat, vegetables, fruit, milk, white bread, cream, butter, and other foods, does it not? At least one pound and five soli a week must be spent on that, not even counting wine. In addition, one must rent a better house, which is nearly another pound a week. Mm, one must also buy water, gas, charcoal, soap, and other things, and consider transportation expenses. Added together, that comes to almost ten soli.

“These are merely the most basic expenses. Surely you will not refuse to take your wife to concerts or plays?

“And surely you must buy new clothes every year. Ladies, I believe a family must spend at least thirty pounds a year in this area to be considered respectable.

“Beyond that, there are maidservants’ wages, children’s education fees, reserved medical expenses, and some necessary ornamental purchases.

“Only an annual income above two hundred pounds can satisfy these needs and allow a happy family.

“Therefore, in order not to waste your time or create misunderstandings, I believe it is necessary to introduce this in advance.”

As a solicitor, Jurgen, for once, could not find words to refute her. Fortunately, he normally had only serious and proper expressions to begin with.

She really is frank… However, basic etiquette is to tell both sides such information privately beforehand. Of course, Madam Sammer, I understand very well why you introduced it face to face…

Klein piled on a smile.

“Yes. Income is very important.

“Only an annual income above four hundred pounds can support a dinner of this level and allow one’s wife to own beautiful dresses and exquisite earrings.”

Stelyn immediately lifted her chin slightly, working hard to suppress her smile.

“Four hundred and thirty pounds. What I mean is, one should also have some savings every year to guard against accidents or invest in stocks and bonds.”

That was roughly her husband’s annual income.

After helping the unfamiliar parties find a topic, she left them and began greeting the other guests. Klein clearly noticed that Sarah, Angina, and the other young ladies were more interested in Solicitor Jurgen. After all, the man looked fairly good, and his job and income were very stable.

As for a private detective who might enter a police station at any moment, he was not a priority for middle-class women. Moreover, Klein now had a ring of whiskers around his mouth, making him appear somewhat rugged. Young ladies inevitably felt a little intimidated.

After accompanying them through a few lines of small talk, he found an excuse and left, hiding in the corner while eating and watching Jurgen’s embarrassed and helpless performance.

At times like these, who knew where a solicitor’s eloquence had gone.

Several minutes later, the two Sammer children ran past Klein while playing.

Noticing the gentleman hiding in the corner, they stopped, opened their large eyes, and asked curiously, “Mr. Moriarty, we heard you are a detective?”

“Yes,” Klein answered with a smile.

The little girl spoke innocently. “Could you tell us about a case you solved?”

Her twin brother nodded repeatedly.

Cases I solved? They either involve wraiths, marionettes, and demon dogs, or else finding cats and catching adulterers. There really isn’t anything suitable to tell children…

Klein thought for a few seconds, then laughed.

“All right. This is a story about treasure.

“An officer who retired from East Balam was suddenly murdered…”

In truth, Klein had almost forgotten the detective novels he had read in his previous life. He could only rely on hazy impressions and improvise. But the two children did not care whether the plot was reasonable. They listened very seriously and even learned to ask, “And then?”

Without realizing it, Klein relaxed quite a bit.

When the dinner was nearly over and he was preparing to take his leave, he saw that Stelyn’s face was filled with joy.

“Has something worth celebrating happened?” Klein casually asked.

Stelyn raised her head slightly and answered with a restrained smile, “Mary received an invitation from Mr. Hibbert Hall, the chief secretary of the Atmospheric Pollution Investigation Committee. She will attend a luncheon at his home on Monday.

“This gentleman is the eldest son of Earl Hall, a true noble. He has invited every member of the committee and permitted them to bring two or three friends.”

Stelyn paused, then said, “Mary just invited Luke and me.”

…

Monday noon.

The grandly dressed Stelyn Sammer, accompanied by her husband, Luke Sammer, followed Madam Mary to Queen’s Borough and saw an enormous building occupying a vast area.

Marble statues, pools, fountains, gardens, lawns, and other things entered her eyes one by one. Before she had even entered the villa, nervousness already rose within her.

“Luke, does this necklace clash badly with my dress?” she turned and asked her husband.

Luke shook his head with a smile.

“My dear, you are too nervous.

“You do not need to worry at all. Nobles merely live in larger houses and eat better food than we do. We are not lacking anything.”

Stelyn listened and nodded repeatedly, seeming to recover her old confidence.

Entering the villa, they saw gorgeous crystal chandeliers, a hall large enough for many people to dance in, and plate after plate of delicacies.

Foie gras, pan-fried dragon-bone fish, baked lobster… Aurmir wine, Mist Champagne… Exactly like what the magazines describe…

Stelyn curiously surveyed the food, feeling that if her family saved a little, they too could eat such a meal during festivals or the new year.

Except for the Aurmir red wine and Mist Champagne…

She finally added that line inwardly.

At that moment, her gaze suddenly froze. She saw a young lady wearing a beige court gown slowly walk over.

The young lady had blonde hair and blue eyes. Her beauty was extraordinary. She wore white silk gloves and a pair of small, lovely emerald earrings. Her bearing was pure and elegant.

She truly looks like an angel…

Even though Stelyn had always been proud of her own appearance, she could not help praising the other woman at that moment, inexplicably feeling a little inferior.

“Hello,” she greeted clumsily using the etiquette she had just learned.

“Hello.”

The young lady returned the greeting gracefully.

After the two brushed past each other, Stelyn accompanied her husband and Mary in getting to know one prominent guest after another, as well as the noble Mr. Hibbert Hall himself.

After a while, she went alone onto the balcony, intending to calm her emotions. To her surprise, she saw the angel-like young lady from before.

The young lady was gazing at the scenery outside. Beside the ribboned rose on her shoe, a golden retriever crouched obediently.

“It is truly adorable,” Stelyn said, searching for a topic.

The young lady answered with a shallow smile, “I thank you on Susie’s behalf for your praise.”

Looking at the combination of beautiful young lady and golden retriever, Stelyn suddenly felt that she, too, ought to raise a similar pet.

Only that would display the Sammer family’s respectability!

After considering her wording, she asked, “I heard that nobles raise quite a few hounds. Is it one of them?”

“Yes.” The young lady, whose blue eyes were even more captivating than the gemstones on her earrings, nodded lightly.

“I wonder how many gold pounds one costs?” Stelyn asked with a smile.

The pure and elegant young lady lowered her head to look at the golden retriever, then answered with a smile and the utmost carelessness:

“Four hundred and fifty pounds.”