Status Updates From La Montagne magique

Quote:

"And so we've had Christmas, and we marked the New Year, and now Mardi Gras is coming. Then it will soon be Palm Sunday - do they bake special pastries here? - then Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost, which is only six weeks later, and then before you know it, it's the longest day, Midsummer Night, you see, and soon you're into autumn."

Hans Castorp and Herr Settembrini clash at the Mardi Gras party given at the sanatorium over the use of first names. Settembrini insists on formal pronouns appropriate to the educated West. Hans Castorp feels a closeness to Settembrini for all he has done to educate him about the world and wants to use his first name with all his heart. The Mardi Gras party is a success. Everyone is dressed in custom even the staff.