The Hungarian novelist, Ferenc Molnar...
Illustration
Object:
The Hungarian novelist, Ferenc Molnar, allowed his love of money to rob him of the joys
of generosity. He would often visit a New York coffeehouse, where Hungarian
expatriates were known to gather and speak their native language. On one occasion, the
group fell to discussing which English words or phrases they remembered learning first.
Those in the group volunteered answers from experience -- "Hello," "Good-bye," "Good
morning." When it became Molnar's time to answer, he replied. "The first thing I learned
to say in English was, 'Separate checks.' "
