Nothing is stranger or more ticklish than a relationship between people who know each other only by sight, who meet and observe each other daily - no… - Thomas Mann

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Nothing is stranger or more ticklish than a relationship between people who know each other only by sight, who meet and observe each other daily - no hourly - and are nevertheless compelled to keep up the pose of an indifferent stranger, neither greeting nor addressing each other, whether out of etiquette or their own whim.