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that proper to say? Admission that his <strong>in</strong>terest lay <strong>in</strong> book's modishness. Perhaps that was lowplace.<br />
He did not know, and yet he felt that it was. 'One cannot judge by book be<strong>in</strong>g best seller,' he<br />
said. 'We all know that. Many best sellers are terrible trash. This, however — ' He faltered.<br />
Betty said, 'Most true. Average taste really deplorable.'<br />
'As <strong>in</strong> music,' Paul said. 'No <strong>in</strong>terest <strong>in</strong> au<strong>the</strong>ntic American folk jazz, as example. Robert, are you<br />
fond of say Bunk Johnson and Kid Ory and <strong>the</strong> like? Early Dixieland jazz? I have record library of<br />
old such music, orig<strong>in</strong>al Genet record<strong>in</strong>gs.'<br />
Robert said, 'Afraid I know little about Negro music.' They did not look exactly pleased at his<br />
remark. 'I prefer classical. Bach and Beethoven.' Surely that was acceptable. He felt now a bit of<br />
resentment. Was he supposed to deny <strong>the</strong> great masters of European music, <strong>the</strong> timeless classics <strong>in</strong><br />
favor of New Orleans jazz from <strong>the</strong> honky-tonks and bistros of <strong>the</strong> Negro quarter?<br />
'Perhaps if I play selection by New Orleans Rhythm K<strong>in</strong>gs,' Paul began, start<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong> room,<br />
but Betty gave him a warn<strong>in</strong>g look. He hesitated, shrugged.<br />
'D<strong>in</strong>ner almost ready,' she said.<br />
Return<strong>in</strong>g, Paul once more seated himself. A little sulkily, Robert thought, he murmured, 'Jazz<br />
from New Orleans most au<strong>the</strong>ntic American folk music <strong>the</strong>re is. Orig<strong>in</strong>ated on this cont<strong>in</strong>ent. All<br />
else came from Europe, such as corny English-style lute ballads.'<br />
'This is perpetual argument between us,' Betty said, smil<strong>in</strong>g at Robert. 'I do not share his love of<br />
orig<strong>in</strong>al jazz.'<br />
Still hold<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> copy of The Grasshopper Lies Heavy, Robert said, 'What sort of alternate<br />
present does this book describe?'<br />
Betty, after a moment, said, 'One <strong>in</strong> which Ger<strong>man</strong>y and Japan lost <strong>the</strong> war.'<br />
They were all silent.<br />
'Time to eat,' Betty said, slid<strong>in</strong>g to her feet. 'Please come, two hungry gentle<strong>man</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>essmen.'<br />
She cajoled Robert and Paul to <strong>the</strong> d<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g table, already set with white tablecloth, silver, ch<strong>in</strong>a,<br />
huge rough napk<strong>in</strong>s <strong>in</strong> what Robert recognized as Early American bone napk<strong>in</strong> r<strong>in</strong>gs. The silver,<br />
too, was sterl<strong>in</strong>g silver American. The cups and saucers were Royal Albert, deep blue and yellow.<br />
Very exceptional; he could not help glanc<strong>in</strong>g at <strong>the</strong>m with professional admiration.<br />
The plates were not American. They appeared to be Japanese; he could not tell, it be<strong>in</strong>g beyond<br />
his field.<br />
'That is Imari porcela<strong>in</strong>.' Paul said, perceiv<strong>in</strong>g his <strong>in</strong>terest. 'From Arita. Considered a first-place<br />
product. Japan.'<br />
They seated <strong>the</strong>mselves.<br />
'Coffee?' Betty asked Robert.<br />
'Yes,' he said. 'Thanks.'<br />
'Toward end of meal,' she said, go<strong>in</strong>g to get <strong>the</strong> serv<strong>in</strong>g cart.<br />
Soon <strong>the</strong>y were all eat<strong>in</strong>g. Robert found <strong>the</strong> meal delicious. She was quite an exceptional cook.<br />
The salad <strong>in</strong> particular pleased him. Avocados, artichoke heart, some k<strong>in</strong>d of blue cheese dress<strong>in</strong>g .<br />
. . thank God <strong>the</strong>y had not presented him with a Japanese meal, <strong>the</strong> dishes of mixed greens and<br />
meats of which he had eaten so much s<strong>in</strong>ce <strong>the</strong> war.<br />
And <strong>the</strong> unend<strong>in</strong>g seafoods. He had gotten so that he could no longer abide shrimp or any o<strong>the</strong>r<br />
shellfish.<br />
'I would like to know,' Robert said, 'what he supposes it would be like <strong>in</strong> world where Ger<strong>man</strong>y<br />
and Japan lost <strong>the</strong> war.'<br />
Nei<strong>the</strong>r Paul nor Betty answered for a time. Then Paul said at last, 'Very complicated<br />
differences. Better to read <strong>the</strong> book. It would spoil it for you, possibly, to hear.'