You are a very strange creature by way of a friend! -- always wanting me to play and sing before, any body and every body! -- If my vanity had taken a musical turn, you would have been invaluable, but as it is, I would really rather not sit, down before those who must be in the habit, of hearing the very best performers.
你這種朋友真是世上少有！──不管當著什麽人的面，總是要我彈琴唱歌！──要是我存心在音樂會上出風頭，我真要對你感激不盡。可是賓客們都是聽慣了第一流演奏家的，我實在不好意思在他們面前坐下來獻憾醜。