Konrad and Alexandra (pdf) - Rolf Gross

"We are hopelessly behind in Tiflis. Look at this dress! I will have it made for my first
public appearance in St. Petersburg. Look, Deda."
But Deda was not amused. She gave Alexandra a stern look. "Alexandra, you cannot
wear this dress to an official reception, one can see every detail of your body! Will you ever
grow up? You are going to be a married woman. You owe it to your husband’s reputation to be
properly dressed."
Alexandra stared at her mother in open rebellion. "Mama, I don’t care about convention.
I will take the magazine to Manana and have it made. But I will not embarrass you and wear it
where I am known as your daughter. I will hide it in my trousseau. You will see, it will become
the rage of St. Petersburg."
Konrad, the outsider, who amused by the family fireworks had quietly watched, shook
his head. "We shall see. If we arrive in St. Petersburg from Italy, you may indeed win your bet."
After dinner Olga took her husband by the arm. She gave Konrad a sympathetic smile.
"Can we give you a ride home, Konrad?" She turned to Irakli and said wearily. "As always we
had an exciting evening at your house. You cheered up this husband of mine. It is late, may we
go home."
When Alexandra embraced Konrad to say good night, she whispered, "There is a ball at
the Artist’s Club on New Years Eve, can we go? I want to dance with you!"
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