After returning to Minsk Street from the factory area, Klein simply had lunch and fell asleep until it was dark and evening.

But even so, he still felt tired, tired from the bottom of his heart.

After a long pause, Crane went down to the first floor, lit the gas lamp, and prepared to sit down on the couch and read today's newspaper, but he glanced and saw an invitation on the coffee table.

He was stunned for a moment, but then he realized that it was an invitation to a dinner party that Mrs. Starlene Summerr had sent a maid to her door a few days earlier.

"I almost forgot about it...... Blind date banquet in disguise...... "Klein put down the invitation, walked to the bathroom on the first floor, cleaned his face with cold water, and made himself look a lot more energetic.

Compared to when he first arrived in Beckland, he had a thicker black beard around his lips and above his chin, which did not completely erase his bookish temperament, but made him look a lot more mature and rugged.

Not a real acquaintance, so you can't recognize me in person...... Crane exhaled silently, wiped his face clean, and held his gold-rimmed glasses to the bridge of his nose.

He took a break, changed into a shirt with a stiff and straight neckline, and a black tuxedo, and then, very formally, put on a half-height silk top hat, took a cane and an invitation, and went out to the next door.

As the doorbell jingled, he saw Julian, the maid who opened the door, and Starlene, whose blond hair was coiled high and who wore silver ornaments on her earlobes.

Klein took off his hat, bowed, and praised politely:

"Mrs. Summer, you are very beautiful today. ”

Although his words are very perfunctory, Starling today is indeed much more beautiful than usual, and her ability seems to have increased in a breakthrough in the field of elaborate grooming.

It seems that it was the incident of catching the traitor that made her and Lady Mary really become "best friends", and the other party is a rich man with a net worth of tens of thousands of pounds, and now he has entered the Kingdom Air Pollution Investigation Committee, and has met many powerful people, and must have enough knowledge in makeup, clothing, accessories, etc...... Crane nodded inwardly.

The corners of Starin's mouth turned up uncontrollably:

"This is my newly bought earrings and it takes a full 8 soles. ”

Ma'am, your style hasn't changed...... Crane smiled and handed the hat, cane, and coat to the maid.

The fireplace and pipes in the house brought a warm feeling like early summer, and many young ladies and ladies wore relatively loose dresses, some showing half of their white arms, and some of them had a slippery piece of chest.

"Luke is talking to some friends about business, so let me say sorry to you on his behalf. Starlene did her duty as a hostess and said, "You eat first, and I'll introduce you to a few well-educated ladies later." ”

Actually, there is no need for this, just let me eat quietly...... Klein smiled and said:

"I can already smell the food. ”

Because there were more than 20 guests, the dinner was held in a buffet format, Klein took the plate, turned around, and found that this time the food was much more abundant than before:

Cold salmon, chicken pie, pea stewed lamb, salted brisket, curry foods, roast beef, cooked turkey, beef tongue pie, ham, salad and cream cake......

The wine is still champagne and red wine.

This was very much in line with the appetite of carnivores, and Crane picked up a large plate, and without going to make small talk, he shrank into the corner and savored it slowly.

"No chef from the Cragg Club does a good job...... he said from time to time.

When he was about to go for the second round, he was finally spotted by Starlene Summer.

At the same time, beside the lady, he saw an acquaintance, lawyer Jürgen, with a serious expression.

Also, Jürgen is still a bachelor...... Klein leaned over with a smile and took the initiative to greet:

"How's Mrs. Doris's recovery?"

Jürgen pulled his bow tie uncomfortably and said:

"She'll be discharged from the hospital next week. ”

"It's just wonderful. Klein said with sincere emotion.

By this time, Starling had already brought a few young ladies over and introduced them to them:

"This is Mr. Jürgen Cooper, a senior solicitor, who earns at least £3 a week, and who often gets a commission on cases, who must have earned more than £200 a year, and who is young and promising, and who is likely to become a barrister in the future. ”

"This is Mr. Sherlock Moriarty, a well-known detective, and his income is not stable, but every one of them is very good, like 10 pounds, 50 pounds. ”

That's too straightforward, ma'am...... Klein couldn't help but sneer.

And Urgen next to him frowned visibly.

Starling didn't think there was any problem at all, and continued:

"Miss Sarah Taylor, whose parents are both grammar school teachers......"

"Angela Watson, whose father was a civilian at the Beckland Police Department......"

......

Crane smiled numbly and greeted the ladies.

When Starling had finished speaking, Ürgen said in a deep voice:

"Mrs. Summer, it's not polite to mention someone else's income to your face. ”

Starlene was not angry, and responded very seriously:

"No, it's very important. ”

"If you can like each other and start a family, income is an essential foundation. ”

"Think about it, you have to have meat, vegetables, fruits, milk, white bread, cream, butter, and so on every day, and you have to spend at least £5 a week on this, and that's not counting the wine, and you have to rent a nice house, and you have to spend close to £1 a week, well, you have to buy water, gas, charcoal, soap, and so on, and you have to consider the cost of traveling, which adds up to almost 10 sules. ”

"This is the most basic expense, don't you take your wife to a concert or a play?"

"Don't you buy some new clothes every year, ladies and misses, I think that a family must spend at least £30 a year on this in order to be decent. ”

"In addition to this, there is the salary of the maid, the expenses of the children's education, the expenses of medical care, and the expenses of some necessary decorations. ”

"Only an annual income of more than £200 can meet these needs and have a happy family. ”

"So, in order not to delay your time and not cause misunderstanding, I think it is necessary to introduce it in advance. ”

As a lawyer, Jürgen couldn't find the words to refute for a while, but fortunately he only had serious and serious expressions.

What a frank one...... But the basic etiquette is to tell both parties this kind of information in private, and of course, I understand very well why Mrs. Summer's introduction is in person...... Klein smiled and said:

"yes, income matters. ”

"Only with an annual income of more than 400 pounds can you afford a dinner party of this level, and you can have your wife with a beautiful dress and fine earrings. ”

Starling suddenly raised her chin slightly, tried to suppress her smile and said:

"£430, I mean, and save a little bit every year to protect against accidents or invest in stocks and bonds. ”

That's her husband's approximate annual income.

After helping the strangers find a topic, she leaves the place and greets the other guests, and Klein obviously notices that Sarah, Angela and other young ladies are more interested in Lawyer Ergen, after all, the other party is not bad, and the job and income are very stable.

As for the private detective who may enter the police station at any time, he is not a priority for middle-class women, and Klein now has a beard and is a little rough, and the girls are inevitably a little afraid.

After chatting with him for a few words, he made an excuse to leave, and hid in a corner, eating while admiring Hurgen's embarrassed and helpless performance.

At this time, his eloquence as a lawyer did not know where to go.

A few minutes later, the two Summers kids jokingly ran past Klein.

Noticing the gentleman hiding in the corner, they stopped, opened their eyes wide and asked curiously:

"Mr. Moriarty, I heard you're a detective?"

"Yes. Klein responded with a smile.

The little girl innocently spoke:

"Can you tell us about the case you solved?"

Her twin brother nodded repeatedly.

The case I solved either involved resentful spirits, secret puppets, demon dogs, or cats and rapes, and there was really nothing suitable for children to talk about...... Klein thought for a few seconds and laughed:

"Well, this is a story about treasure. ”

"An officer who had returned from retirement from Byran Orient was suddenly murdered......"

The detectives he had seen in his previous life had actually forgotten almost everything, and he could only make them up casually based on vague impressions, and the two children didn't care whether the plot was reasonable or not, they listened quite seriously, and even learned to ask "what's next".

Before he knew it, Klein relaxed a lot.

Towards the end of the dinner, he was about to take his leave, when he saw Starlene's face full of joy.

"Did anything happen to celebrate?" Klein asked casually.

Starlene raised her head slightly, and replied with a reserved smile:

Mary has been invited by Mr. Hibbert Hall, principal secretary of the Air Pollution Investigation Board, to attend a luncheon at his home on Monday. ”

"This gentleman, the eldest son of Count Hall, a true nobleman, invited all the members of the council and allowed them to bring two or three friends. ”

Starling paused:

"Mary just invited me and Luke. ”

............

Monday at noon.

Dressed in costume, Starlene Summer, accompanied by her husband Luke Summer, followed Lady Mary to Queens, where she saw a very large building.

Marble statues, pools, fountains, gardens, lawns, and other things caught her eyes one by one, making her feel nervous before she even entered the villa.

"Luke, doesn't my necklace go well with my dress?" she asked, turning her head to ask her husband.

Luke shook his head and smiled:

"Honey, you're too nervous. ”

"You don't need to worry at all, the nobles are just a little bigger than us, a little better eaten, we are not bad. ”

Starling nodded continuously, and seemed to have regained her old self-confidence.

Entering the villa, they saw gorgeous crystal chandeliers, a hall for many people to dance, and plates of food.

Foie gras, pan-fried keelfish, baked lobster...... Ormere wines, misty champagne...... It's the same as the description in the magazine...... Starling looked at the food curiously, thinking that she could save her own money and come to such a meal on a holiday or New Year's Day.

In addition to Ormere red wine and misty champagne...... She finally added in her heart.

At this moment, her eyes suddenly straightened, and she saw a girl in a beige court dress walking slowly.

The girl was blonde and blue-eyed, with unusual beauty, wearing a pair of white silk gloves and a pair of small and beautiful emerald earrings, with a pure and elegant temperament.

What an angel...... Even though she has always been proud of her appearance, Starling couldn't help but praise at this time, inexplicably feeling inferior.

"Hello. She awkwardly greeted with the etiquette she had just learned.

"Hello. The girl returned the salute gracefully.

After the two passed by, Starling accompanied her husband and Mary to meet one illustrious guest after another, and met the noble Mr. Hibbert Hall.

After a while, she walked up to the balcony alone, intending to ease her mind, but she was surprised to see the angelic girl just now.

She was looking out at the scenery, and a big golden retriever dog was squatting beside her shoes studded with ribbon roses.

"It's so cute. Starlene searched for a topic.

The girl smiled and responded:

"I thank Susie for your compliment. ”

Looking at the combination of a beautiful girl and a big golden retriever, Starling suddenly felt that she should have a similar pet.

In this way, the dignity of the Summer's family can be revealed!, she asked, thoughtfully:

"I've heard that the nobles will domesticate a lot of hounds, is it?"

"Yes. The girl with blue eyes, more charming than earrings, nodded lightly.

"I don't know how many gold pounds it costs to buy one?" Starling asked with a smile.

The innocent and elegant girl looked down at the golden retriever, smiled and replied indifferently:

"450 pounds. ”

PS: Because I'm going to go to a meeting again, there will be no three shifts tomorrow, so I can only update in advance to maintain my life, well, I will update it in advance in the early morning. After the 25th, the end of this month's travel, there will be a change.