Explore "The Master Mummer" by E. Phillips Oppenheim on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
"In diplomacy," the Baron remarked blandly, "as also, I believe, in affairs of commerce, the dinner-table is frequently chosen as a fitting place for the commencement of delicate negotiations. For a bargain -- no! But when three men -- take ourselves, for instance -- have a matter of some importance to discuss, I can conceive no better opportunity for the preliminary -- skirmishing, shall I say? -- than the present."
I raised my glass, and looked thoughtfully at the pale amber wine bubbling up from the stem.