Too kind

Thick clouds of smoke swirled around the room, covering the people around the round table with a pungent smell.  And the source of such a thick smoke was one gentleman who did not stop devouring a cigar.

Those sitting around the table did not feel uncomfortable at all, and only a few coughed from time to time, throwing sharp glances at the smoker.

The rustling of papers and sighs alternating with laughter filled everything around.

It was afternoon and it was raining outside, rainbows were rising on the roofs of the houses, creating a feeling of beauty.  But the people sitting in the room did not notice this beauty at all.  All they noticed were checks on which were written round sums and Adelard was sitting right in the center looking at the rainbow and dreaming about it.

One of the men with round glasses and a goatee said, "Monsieur Adelard, as always, you are somewhere far away.  May I give free rein to curiosity and ask you.  What is