Chapter 12 - A Reception in Bohemia

Summary

On the evening he’d paid out of his own pocket for the meal consumed at the Café Momus by the bohemians, Carolus arranged things so that he’d accompany Colline as they left. Since he’d begun observing the bohemian meetings at the shabby café where he rescued them from a difficult situation, Carolus had been particularly interested in Colline and felt drawn to this Socrates, whose Plato he would later become. For this reason, he chose Colline to sponsor him to become a member of the bohemian association. Along the way, they found a café that was still open and Barbemuche suggested they stop in. Not only did Colline refuse, but he also quickened his pace as they passed the café and carefully pulled his hyperphysical hat down lower over his eyes.

“Why don't you want to go in there?” asked Barbemuche insistently but with tactful politeness.

“I have my reasons,” Colline replied. “A woman who works at the bar is very interested in the exact sciences. I wouldn't be able to avoid having an extremely long discussion with her so I try to stay away from this street at noon or at any other daylight hour. It's quite simple,” Colline added candidly, “I used to live in this neighborhood with Marcel.”

“Well anyway, I’d very much like to buy you a drink and talk for a while. Do you know any other place around here that you can enter without being delayed by … mathematical problems?” said Barbemuche, who judged that it would be appropriate to say something extremely witty.

Colline reflected for a moment.

“There's a little place where my presence is less complicated,” he said, and he pointed out a nearby wine merchant.

Barbemuche frowned and seemed to hesitate.

“Is it an agreeable place?”

Seeing this cold and reserved response, his reticence, his discreet smile and, above all, noticing his watch and its ornamented chain, Colline imagined he must work at an embassy and thought he was worried about compromising himself by going into such a place.

“There's no danger of being seen,” he said. “At this time of day all the diplomatic corps have gone to bed.”