Contents。
1。GermansatMeat。
2。TheBaron。
3。TheSisteroftheBaroness。
4。FrauFischer。
5。FrauBrechenmacherattendsaWedding。
6。TheModernSoul。
7。AtLehmann’s。
8。TheLuftBad。
9。ABirthday。
10。TheChild—Who—Was—Tired。
11。TheAdvancedLady。
12。TheSwingofthePendulum。
13。ABlaze。
1。GERMANSATMEAT。
Breadsoupwasplaceduponthetable。\"Ah，\"saidtheHerrRat，leaninguponthetableashepeeredintothetureen，\"thatiswhatIneed。My’magen’hasnotbeeninorderforseveraldays。Breadsoup，andjusttherightconsistency。Iamagoodcookmyself\"——heturnedtome。
\"Howinteresting，\"Isaid，attemptingtoinfusejusttherightamountofenthusiasmintomyvoice。
\"Ohyes——whenoneisnotmarrieditisnecessary。Asforme，IhavehadallIwantedfromwomenwithoutmarriage。\"Hetuckedhisnapkinintohiscollarandblewuponhissoupashespoke。\"Nowatnineo’clockImakemyselfanEnglishbreakfast，butnotmuch。Fourslicesofbread，twoeggs，twoslicesofcoldham，oneplateofsoup，twocupsoftea——thatisnothingtoyou。\"
HeassertedthefactsovehementlythatIhadnotthecouragetorefuteit。
Alleyesweresuddenlyturneduponme。IfeltIwasbearingtheburdenofthenation’spreposterousbreakfast——Iwhodrankacupofcoffeewhilebuttoningmyblouseinthemorning。
\"Nothingatall，\"criedHerrHoffmannfromBerlin。\"Ach，whenIwasinEnglandinthemorningIusedtoeat。\"
Heturneduphiseyesandhismoustache，wipingthesoupdrippingsfromhiscoatandwaistcoat。
\"Dotheyreallyeatsomuch？\"askedFrauleinStiegelauer。\"Soupandbaker’sbreadandpig’sflesh，andteaandcoffeeandstewedfruit，andhoneyandeggs，andcoldfishandkidneys，andhotfishandliver？Alltheladieseat，too，especiallytheladies。\"
\"Certainly。Imyselfhavenoticedit，whenIwaslivinginahotelinLeicesterSquare，\"criedtheHerrRat。\"Itwasagoodhotel，buttheycouldnotmaketea——now——\"
\"Ah，that’sonethingICANdo，\"saidI，laughingbrightly。\"Icanmakeverygoodtea。Thegreatsecretistowarmtheteapot。\"
\"Warmtheteapot，\"interruptedtheHerrRat，pushingawayhissoupplate。
\"Whatdoyouwarmtheteapotfor？Ha!ha!that’sverygood!Onedoesnoteattheteapot，Isuppose？\"
Hefixedhiscoldblueeyesuponmewithanexpressionwhichsuggestedathousandpremeditatedinvasions。
\"SothatisthegreatsecretofyourEnglishtea？Allyoudoistowarmtheteapot。\"
Iwantedtosaythatwasonlythepreliminarycanter，butcouldnottranslateit，andsowassilent。
Theservantbroughtinveal，withsauerkrautandpotatoes。
\"Ieatsauerkrautwithgreatpleasure，\"saidtheTravellerfromNorthGermany，\"butnowIhaveeatensomuchofitthatIcannotretainit。Iamimmediatelyforcedto——\"
\"Abeautifulday，\"Icried，turningtoFrauleinStiegelauer。\"Didyougetupearly？\"
\"Atfiveo’clockIwalkedfortenminutesinthewetgrass。Againinbed。
Athalf—pastfiveIfellasleep，andwokeatseven，whenImadean’overbody’washing!Againinbed。Ateighto’clockIhadacold—waterpoultice，andathalfpasteightIdrankacupofminttea。AtnineI
dranksomemaltcoffee，andbeganmy’cure。’Passmethesauerkraut，please。Youdonoteatit？\"
\"No，thankyou。Istillfinditalittlestrong。\"
\"Isittrue，\"askedtheWidow，pickingherteethwithahairpinasshespoke，\"thatyouareavegetarian？\"
\"Why，yes；Ihavenoteatenmeatforthreeyears。\"
\"Im——possible!Haveyouanyfamily？\"
\"No。\"
\"Therenow，yousee，that’swhatyou’recomingto!Whoeverheardofhavingchildrenuponvegetables？Itisnotpossible。ButyouneverhavelargefamiliesinEnglandnow；Isupposeyouaretoobusywithyoursuffragetting。NowIhavehadninechildren，andtheyareallalive，thankGod。Fine，healthybabies——thoughafterthefirstonewasbornIhadto——\"
\"HowWONDERFUL!\"Icried。
\"Wonderful，\"saidtheWidowcontemptuously，replacingthehairpinintheknobwhichwasbalancedonthetopofherhead。\"Notatall!Afriendofminehadfouratthesametime。Herhusbandwassopleasedhegaveasupper—partyandhadthemplacedonthetable。Ofcourseshewasveryproud。\"
\"Germany，\"boomedtheTraveller，bitingroundapotatowhichhehadspearedwithhisknife，\"isthehomeoftheFamily。\"
Followedanappreciativesilence。
Thedisheswerechangedforbeef，redcurrantsandspinach。Theywipedtheirforksuponblackbreadandstartedagain。
\"Howlongareyouremaininghere？\"askedtheHerrRat。
\"Idonotknowexactly。ImustbebackinLondoninSeptember。\"
\"OfcourseyouwillvisitMunchen？\"
\"IamafraidIshallnothavetime。Yousee，itisimportantnottobreakintomy’cure。’\"
\"ButyouMUSTgotoMunchen。YouhavenotseenGermanyifyouhavenotbeentoMunchen。AlltheExhibitions，alltheArtandSoullifeofGermanyareinMunchen。ThereistheWagnerFestivalinAugust，andMozartandaJapanesecollectionofpictures——andthereisthebeer!YoudonotknowwhatgoodbeerisuntilyouhavebeentoMunchen。Why，Iseefineladieseveryafternoon，butfineladies，Itellyou，drinkingglassessohigh。\"
Hemeasuredagoodwashstandpitcherinheight，andIsmiled。
\"IfIdrinkagreatdealofMunchenbeerIsweatso，\"saidHerrHoffmann。
\"WhenIamhere，inthefieldsorbeforemybaths，Isweat，butIenjoyit；
butinthetownitisnotatallthesamething。\"
Promptedbythethought，hewipedhisneckandfacewithhisdinnernapkinandcarefullycleanedhisears。
Aglassdishofstewedapricotswasplaceduponthetable。
\"Ah，fruit!\"saidFrauleinStiegelauer，\"thatissonecessarytohealth。
ThedoctortoldmethismorningthatthemorefruitIcouldeatthebetter。\"
Sheveryobviouslyfollowedtheadvice。
SaidtheTraveller：\"Isupposeyouarefrightenedofaninvasion，too，eh？
Oh，that’sgood。I’vebeenreadingallaboutyourEnglishplayinanewspaper。Didyouseeit？\"
\"Yes。\"Isatupright。\"Iassureyouwearenotafraid。\"
\"Well，then，yououghttobe，\"saidtheHerrRat。\"Youhavegotnoarmyatall——afewlittleboyswiththeirveinsfullofnicotinepoisoning。\"
\"Don’tbeafraid，\"HerrHoffmannsaid。\"Wedon’twantEngland。Ifwedidwewouldhavehadherlongago。Wereallydonotwantyou。\"
Hewavedhisspoonairily，lookingacrossatmeasthoughIwerealittlechildwhomhewouldkeepordismissashepleased。
\"WecertainlydonotwantGermany，\"Isaid。
\"ThismorningItookahalfbath。ThenthisafternoonImusttakeakneebathandanarmbath，\"volunteeredtheHerrRat；\"thenIdomyexercisesforanhour，andmyworkisover。Aglassofwineandacoupleofrollswithsomesardines——\"
Theywerehandedcherrycakewithwhippedcream。
\"Whatisyourhusband’sfavouritemeat？\"askedtheWidow。
\"Ireallydonotknow，\"Ianswered。
\"Youreallydonotknow？Howlonghaveyoubeenmarried？\"
\"Threeyears。\"
\"Butyoucannotbeinearnest!Youwouldnothavekepthouseashiswifeforaweekwithoutknowingthatfact。\"
\"Ireallyneveraskedhim；heisnotatallparticularabouthisfood。\"
Apause。Theyalllookedatme，shakingtheirheads，theirmouthsfullofcherrystones。
\"NowonderthereisarepetitioninEnglandofthatdreadfulstateofthingsinParis，\"saidtheWidow，foldingherdinnernapkin。\"Howcanawomanexpecttokeepherhusbandifshedoesnotknowhisfavouritefoodafterthreeyears？\"
\"Mahlzeit!\"
\"Mahlzeit!\"
Iclosedthedoorafterme。
2。THEBARON。
\"Whoishe？\"Isaid。\"Andwhydoeshesitalwaysalone，withhisbacktous，too？\"
\"Ah!\"whisperedtheFrauOberregierungsrat，\"heisaBARON。\"
Shelookedatmeverysolemnly，andyetwiththeslightestpossiblecontempt——a\"fancy—not—recognising—that—at—the—first—glance\"expression。
\"But，poorsoul，hecannothelpit，\"Isaid。\"Surelythatunfortunatefactoughtnottodebarhimfromthepleasuresofintellectualintercourse。\"
IfithadnotbeenforherforkIthinkshewouldhavecrossedherself。
\"Surelyyoucannotunderstand。HeisoneoftheFirstBarons。\"
Morethanalittleunnerved，sheturnedandspoketotheFrauDoktoronherleft。
\"Myomeletteisempty——EMPTY，\"sheprotested，\"andthisisthethirdIhavetried!\"
IlookedattheFirstoftheBarons。Hewaseatingsalad——takingawholelettuceleafonhisforkandabsorbingitslowly，rabbit—wise——afascinatingprocesstowatch。
Smallandslight，withscantyblackhairandbeardandyellow—tonedcomplexion，heinvariablyworeblacksergeclothes，aroughlinenshirt，blacksandals，andthelargestblack—rimmedspectaclesthatIhadeverseen。
TheHerrOberlehrer，whosatoppositeme，smiledbenignantly。
\"Itmustbeveryinterestingforyou，gnadigeFrau，tobeabletowatch……
ofcoursethisisaVERYFINEHOUSE。TherewasaladyfromtheSpanishCourthereinthesummer；shehadaliver。Weoftenspoketogether。\"
Ilookedgratifiedandhumble。
\"Now，inEngland，inyour’boarding’ouse’，onedoesnotfindtheFirstClass，asinGermany。\"
\"No，indeed，\"Ireplied，stillhypnotisedbytheBaron，wholookedlikealittleyellowsilkworm。
\"TheBaroncomeseveryyear，\"wentontheHerrOberlehrer，\"forhisnerves。
Hehasneverspokentoanyoftheguests——YET!Asmilecrossedhisface。
Iseemedtoseehisvisionsofsomesplendidupheavalofthatsilence——adazzlingexchangeofcourtesiesinadimfuture，asplendidsacrificeofanewspapertothisExaltedOne，a\"dankeschon\"tobehandeddowntofuturegenerations。
Atthatmomentthepostman，lookinglikeaGermanarmyofficer，cameinwiththemail。Hethrewmylettersintomymilkpudding，andthenturnedtoawaitressandwhispered。Sheretiredhastily。Themanagerofthepensioncameinwithalittletray。Apicturepostcardwasdepositedonit，andreverentlybowinghishead，themanagerofthepensioncarriedittotheBaron。
Myself，Ifeltdisappointedthattherewasnotasaluteoftwenty—fiveguns。
Attheendofthemealwewereservedwithcoffee。InoticedtheBarontookthreelumpsofsugar，puttingtwoinhiscupandwrappingupthethirdinacornerofhispocket—handkerchief。Hewasalwaysthefirsttoenterthedining—roomandthelasttoleave；andinavacantchairbesidehimheplacedalittleblackleatherbag。
Intheafternoon，leaningfrommywindow，Isawhimpassdownthestreet，walkingtremulouslyandcarryingthebag。Eachtimehepassedalamp—postheshrankalittle，asthoughexpectingittostrikehim，ormaybethesenseofplebeiancontamination……
Iwonderedwherehewasgoing，andwhyhecarriedthebag。NeverhadI
seenhimattheCasinoortheBathEstablishment。Helookedforlorn，hisfeetslippedinhissandals。IfoundmyselfpityingtheBaron。
Thateveningapartyofusweregatheredinthesalondiscussingtheday’s\"kur\"withfeverishanimation。TheFrauOberregierungsratsatbymeknittingashawlforheryoungestofninedaughters，whowasinthatveryinteresting，frailcondition……\"Butitisboundtobequitesatisfactory，\"
shesaidtome。\"Thedearmarriedabanker——thedesireofherlife。\"
Theremusthavebeeneightortenofusgatheredtogether，wewhoweremarriedexchangingconfidencesastotheunderclothingandpeculiarcharacteristicsofourhusbands，theunmarrieddiscussingtheover—clothingandpeculiarfascinationsofPossibleOnes。
\"Iknitthemmyself，\"IheardtheFrauLehrercry，\"ofthickgreywool。Hewearsoneamonth，withtwosoftcollars。\"
\"Andthen，\"whisperedFrauleinLisa，\"hesaidtome，’Indeedyoupleaseme。
Ishall，perhaps，writetoyourmother。’\"
Smallwonderthatwewerealittleviolentlyexcited，alittleexpostulatory。
SuddenlythedooropenedandadmittedtheBaron。
Followedacompleteanddeathlikesilence。
Hecameinslowly，hesitated，tookupatoothpickfromadishonthetopofthepiano，andwentoutagain。
Whenthedoorwasclosedweraisedatriumphantcry!Itwasthefirsttimehehadeverbeenknowntoenterthesalon。WhocouldtellwhattheFutureheld？
Dayslengthenedintoweeks。Stillweweretogether，andstillthesolitarylittlefigure，headbowedasthoughundertheweightofthespectacles，hauntedme。Heenteredwiththeblackbag，heretiredwiththeblackbag——andthatwasall。
AtlastthemanagerofthepensiontoldustheBaronwasleavingthenextday。
\"Oh，\"Ithought，\"surelyhecannotdriftintoobscurity——belostwithoutoneword!SurelyhewillhonourtheFrauOberregierungsratoftheFrauFeldleutnantswitweONCEbeforehegoes。\"
Intheeveningofthatdayitrainedheavily。Iwenttothepostoffice，andasIstoodonthesteps，umbrellaless，hesitatingbeforeplungingintotheslushyroad，alittle，hesitatingvoiceseemedtocomefromundermyelbow。
Ilookeddown。ItwastheFirstoftheBaronswiththeblackbagandanumbrella。WasImad？WasIsane？Hewasaskingmetosharethelatter。
ButIwasexceedinglynice，atriflediffident，appropriatelyreverential。
Togetherwewalkedthroughthemudandslush。
Now，thereissomethingpeculiarlyintimateinsharinganumbrella。
Itisapttoputoneonthesamefootingasbrushingaman’scoatforhim——alittledaring，naive。
Ilongedtoknowwhyhesatalone，whyhecarriedthebag，whathedidallday。Buthehimselfvolunteeredsomeinformation。
\"Ifear，\"hesaid，\"thatmyluggagewillbedamp。Iinvariablycarryitwithmeinthisbag——onerequiressolittle——forservantsareuntrustworthy。\"
\"Awiseidea，\"Ianswered。Andthen：\"Whyhaveyoudeniedusthepleasure——\"
\"IsitalonethatImayeatmore，\"saidtheBaron，peeringintothedusk；
\"mystomachrequiresagreatdealoffood。Iorderdoubleportions，andeattheminpeace。\"
WhichsoundedfinelyBaronial。
\"Andwhatdoyoudoallday？\"
\"Iimbibenourishmentinmyroom，\"hereplied，inavoicethatclosedtheconversationandalmostrepentedoftheumbrella。
Whenwearrivedatthepensiontherewasverynearlyanopenriot。
Iranhalfwayupthestairs，andthankedtheBaronaudiblyfromthelanding。
Hedistinctlyreplied：\"Notatall!\"
ItwasveryfriendlyoftheHerrOberlehrertohavesentmeabouquetthatevening，andtheFrauOberregierungsrataskedmeformypatternofababy’sbonnet!……
NextdaytheBaronwasgone。
SictransitgloriaGermanmundi。
3。THESISTEROFTHEBARONESS。
\"Therearetwonewguestsarrivingthisafternoon，\"saidthemanagerofthepension，placingachairformeatthebreakfasttable。\"Ihaveonlyreceivedtheletteracquaintingmewiththefactthismorning。TheBaronessvonGallissendingherlittledaughter——thepoorchildisdumb——tomakethe’cure。’Sheistostaywithusamonth，andthentheBaronessherselfiscoming。\"
\"BaronessvonGall，\"criedtheFrauDoktor，comingintotheroomandpositivelyscentingthename。\"Cominghere？Therewasapictureofheronlylastweekin’SportandSalon。’Sheisafriendofthecourt：IhaveheardthattheKaiserinsays’du’toher。Butthisisdelightful!Ishalltakemydoctor’sadviceandspendanextrasixweekshere。Thereisnothinglikeyoungsociety。\"
\"Butthechildisdumb，\"venturedthemanagerapologetically。
\"Bah!Whatdoesthatmatter？Afflictedchildrenhavesuchprettyways。\"
Eachguestwhocameintothebreakfast—roomwasbombardedwiththewonderfulnews。\"TheBaronessvonGallissendingherlittledaughterhere；theBaronessherselfiscominginamonth’stime。\"Coffeeandrollstookonthenatureofanorgy。Wepositivelyscintillated。AnecdotesoftheHighBornwerepouredout，sweetenedandsipped：wegorgedonscandalsofHighBirthgenerouslybuttered。
\"Theyaretohavetheroomnexttoyours，\"saidthemanager，addressingme。
\"IwaswonderingifyouwouldpermitmetotakedowntheportraitoftheKaiserinElizabethfromaboveyourbedtohangovertheirsofa。\"
\"Yes，indeed，somethinghomelike\"——theFrauOberregierungsratpattedmyhand——\"andofnopossiblesignificancetoyou。\"
Ifeltalittlecrushed。Notattheprospectoflosingthatvisionofdiamondsandbluevelvetbust，butatthetone——placingmeoutsidethepale——brandingmeasaforeigner。
Wedissipatedthedayinvalidspeculations。Decideditwastoowarmtowalkintheafternoon，solaydownonourbeds，musteringingreatforceforafternooncoffee。Andacarriagedrewupatthedoor。Atallyounggirlgotout，leadingachildbythehand。Theyenteredthehall，weregreetedandshowntotheirroom。Tenminuteslatershecamedownwiththechildtosignthevisitors’book。Sheworeablack，closelyfittingdress，touchedatthroatandwristswithwhitefrilling。Herbrownhair，braided，wastiedwithablackbow——unusuallypale，withasmallmoleonherleftcheek。
\"IamtheBaronessvonGall’ssister，\"shesaid，tryingthepenonapieceofblotting—paper，andsmilingatusdeprecatingly。Evenforthemostjadedofuslifeholdsitsthrillingmoments。TwoBaronessesintwomonths!Themanagerimmediatelylefttheroomtofindanewnib。
Tomyplebeianeyesthatafflictedchildwassingularlyunattractive。Shehadtheairofhavingbeenperpetuallywashedwithabluebag，andhairlikegreywool——dressed，too，inapinaforesostifflystarchedthatshecouldonlypeeratusoverthefrillofit——asocialbarrierofapinafore——andperhapsitwastoomuchtoexpectanobleaunttoattendtothemenialconsiderationofherniece’sears。Butadumbniecewithunwashedearsstruckmeasamostdepressingobject。
Theyweregivenplacesattheheadofthetable。Foramomentwealllookedatoneanotherwithaneena—deena—dina—doexpression。ThentheFrauOberregierungsrat：
\"Ihopeyouarenottiredafteryourjourney。\"
\"No，\"saidthesisteroftheBaroness，smilingintohercup。
\"Ihopethedearchildisnottired，\"saidtheFrauDoktor。
\"Notatall。\"
\"Iexpect，Ihopeyouwillsleepwellto—night，\"theHerrOberlehrersaidreverently。
\"Yes。\"
ThepoetfromMunichnevertookhiseyesoffthepair。Heallowedhistietoabsorbmostofhiscoffeewhilehegazedatthemexceedinglysoulfully。
UnyokingPegasus，thoughtI。DeathspasmsofhisOdestoSolitude!Therewerepossibilitiesinthatyoungwomanforaninspiration，nottomentionadedication，andfromthatmomenthissufferingtemperamenttookupitsbedandwalked。
Theyretiredafterthemeal，leavingustodiscussthematleisure。
\"Thereisalikeness，\"musedtheFrauDoktor。\"Quite。Whatamannershehas。Suchreserve，suchatenderwaywiththechild。\"
\"Pityshehasthechildtoattendto，\"exclaimedthestudentfromBonn。Hehadhithertorelieduponthreescarsandaribbontoproduceaneffect，butthesisterofaBaronessdemandedmorethanthese。
Absorbingdaysfollowed。Hadshebeenonewhitlessbeautifullybornwecouldnothaveenduredthecontinualconversationabouther，thesongsinherpraise，thedetailedaccountofhermovements。Butshegraciouslysufferedourworshipandweweremorethancontent。
Thepoetshetookintoherconfidence。Hecarriedherbookswhenwewentwalking，hejumpedtheafflictedoneonhisknee——poeticlicence，this——andonemorningbroughthisnotebookintothesalonandreadtous。
\"ThesisteroftheBaronesshasassuredmesheisgoingintoaconvent，\"hesaid。（ThatmadethestudentfromBonnsitup。）\"Ihavewrittenthesefewlineslastnightfrommywindowinthesweetnightair——\"
\"Oh，yourDELICATEchest，\"commentedtheFrauDoktor。
Hefixedastonyeyeonher，andsheblushed。
\"Ihavewrittentheselines：
\"’Ah，willyoutoaconventfly，Soyoung，sofresh，sofair？
SpringlikeadoeuponthefieldsAndfindyourbeautythere。’\"
Nineversesequallylovelycommandedhertoequallyviolentaction。Iamcertainthathadshefollowedhisadvicenoteventheremainderofherlifeinaconventwouldhavegivenhertimetorecoverherbreath。
\"Ihavepresentedherwithacopy，\"hesaid。\"Andto—daywearegoingtolookforwildflowersinthewood。\"
ThestudentfromBonngotupandlefttheroom。Ibeggedthepoettorepeattheversesoncemore。AttheendofthesixthverseIsawfromthewindowthesisteroftheBaronessandthescarredyouthdisappearingthroughthefrontgate，whichenabledmetothankthepoetsocharminglythatheofferedtowritemeoutacopy。
Butwewerelivingattoohighpressureinthosedays。Swingingfromourhumblepensiontothehighwallsofpalaces，howcouldwehelpbutfall？
LateoneafternoontheFrauDoktorcameuponmeinthewriting—roomandtookmetoherbosom。
\"Shehasbeentellingmeallaboutherlife，\"whisperedtheFrauDoktor。
\"Shecametomybedroomandofferedtomassagemyarm。Youknow，Iamthegreatestmartyrtorheumatism。And，fancynow，shehasalreadyhadsixproposalsofmarriage。SuchbeautifuloffersthatIassureyouIwept——andeveryoneofnoblebirth。Mydear，themostbeautifulwasinthewood。
NotthatIdonotthinkaproposalshouldtakeplaceinadrawing—room——itismorefittingtohavefourwalls——butthiswasaprivatewood。Hesaid，theyoungofficer，shewaslikeayoungtreewhosebrancheshadneverbeentouchedbytheruthlesshandofman。Suchdelicacy!\"Shesighedandturneduphereyes。
\"OfcourseitisdifficultforyouEnglishtounderstandwhenyouarealwaysexposingyourlegsoncricket—fields，andbreedingdogsinyourbackgardens。Thepityofit!Youthshouldbelikeawildrose。FormyselfI
donotunderstandhowyourwomenevergetmarriedatall。\"
SheshookherheadsoviolentlythatIshookminetoo，andagloomsettledroundmyheart。Itseemedwewerereallyinaverybadway。DidthespiritofromancespreadherrosewingsonlyoveraristocraticGermany？
Iwenttomyroom，boundapinkscarfaboutmyhair，andtookavolumeofMorike’slyricsintothegarden。Agreatbushofpurplelilacgrewbehindthesummer—house。ThereIsatdown，findingasadsignificanceinthedelicatesuggestionofhalfmourning。Ibegantowriteapoemmyself。
\"Theyswayandlanguishdreamily，Andwe，closepressed，arekissingthere。\"
Itended!\"Closepressed\"didnotsoundatallfascinating。Savouredofwardrobes。Didmywildrosethenalreadytrailinthedust？Ichewedaleafandhuggedmyknees。Then——magicmoment——Iheardvoicesfromthesummer—house，thesisteroftheBaronessandthestudentfromBonn。
Second—handwasbetterthannothing；Iprickedupmyears。
\"Whatsmallhandsyouhave，\"saidthestudentfromBonn。\"Theyarelikewhitelilieslyinginthepoolofyourblackdress。\"Thiscertainlysoundedtherealthing。Herhigh—bornreplywaswhatinterestedme。
Sympatheticmurmuronly。
\"MayIholdone？\"
Iheardtwosighs——presumedtheyheld——hehadrifledthosedarkwatersofanobleblossom。
\"Lookatmygreatfingersbesideyours。\"
\"Buttheyarebeautifullykept，\"saidthesisteroftheBaronessshyly。
Theminx!Waslovethenaquestionofmanicure？
\"HowIshouldadoretokissyou，\"murmuredthestudent。\"ButyouknowIamsufferingfromseverenasalcatarrh，andIdarenotriskgivingittoyou。
SixteentimeslastnightdidIcountmyselfsneezing。Andthreedifferenthandkerchiefs。\"
IthrewMorikeintothelilacbush，andwentbacktothehouse。Agreatautomobilesnortedatthefrontdoor。Inthesalongreatcommotion。TheBaronesswaspayingasurprisevisittoherlittledaughter。Cladinayellowmackintoshshestoodinthemiddleoftheroomquestioningthemanager。Andeveryguestthepensioncontainedwasgroupedabouther，eventheFrauDoktor，presumablyexaminingatimetable，asneartotheaugustskirtsaspossible。
\"Butwhereismymaid？\"askedtheBaroness。
\"Therewasnomaid，\"repliedthemanager，\"saveforyourgracioussisteranddaughter。\"
\"Sister!\"shecriedsharply。\"Fool，Ihavenosister。Mychildtravelledwiththedaughterofmydressmaker。\"
Tableaugrandissimo!
4。FRAUFISCHER。
FrauFischerwasthefortunatepossessorofacandlefactorysomewhereonthebanksoftheEger，andonceayearsheceasedfromherlabourstomakea\"cure\"inDorschausen，arrivingwithadress—basketneatlycoveredinablacktarpaulinandahand—bag。Thelattercontainedamongstherhandkerchiefs，eaudeCologne，toothpicks，andacertainwoollenmufflerverycomfortingtothe\"magen，\"samplesofherskillincandle—making，tobeofferedupastokensofthanksgivingwhenherholidaytimewasover。
FouroftheclockoneJulyafternoonsheappearedatthePensionMuller。I
wassittinginthearbourandwatchedherbustlingupthepathfollowedbythered—beardedporterwithherdress—basketinhisarmsandasunflowerbetweenhisteeth。Thewidowandherfiveinnocentdaughtersstoodtastefullygroupeduponthestepsinappropriateattitudesofwelcome；andthegreetingsweresolongandloudthatIfeltasympatheticglow。
\"Whatajourney!\"criedtheFrauFischer。\"Andnothingtoeatinthetrain——nothingsolid。Iassureyouthesidesofmystomachareflappingtogether。ButImustnotspoilmyappetitefordinner——justacupofcoffeeinmyroom。Bertha，\"turningtotheyoungestofthefive，\"howchanged!Whatabust!FrauHartmann，Icongratulateyou。\"
OnceagaintheWidowseizedFrauFischer’shands。\"Kathi，too，asplendidwoman；butalittlepale。PerhapstheyoungmanfromNurnbergishereagainthisyear。HowyoukeepthemallIdon’tknow。EachyearIcomeexpectingtofindyouwithanemptynest。It’ssurprising。\"
FrauHartmann，inanashamed，apologeticvoice：\"Wearesuchahappyfamilysincemydearmandied。\"
\"Butthesemarriages——onemusthavecourage；andafterall，givethemtime，theyallmakethehappyfamilybigger——thankGodforthat……Aretheremanypeopleherejustnow？\"
\"Everyroomengaged。\"
Followedadetaileddescriptioninthehall，murmuredonthestairs，continuedinsixpartsastheyenteredthelargeroom（windowsopeninguponthegarden）whichFrauFischeroccupiedeachsuccessiveyear。Iwasreadingthe\"MiraclesofLourdes，\"whichaCatholicpriest——fixingagloomyeyeuponmysoul——hadbeggedmetodigest；butitswonderswerecompletelyroutedbyFrauFischer’sarrival。NoteventhewhiterosesuponthefeetoftheVirgincouldflourishinthatatmosphere。
\"……Itwasasimpleshepherd—childwhopasturedherflocksuponthebarrenfields……\"
Voicesfromtheroomabove：\"Thewashstandhas，ofcourse，beenscrubbedoverwithsoda。\"
\"……Poverty—stricken，herlimbswithtatteredragshalfcovered……\"
\"Everystickofthefurniturehasbeensunninginthegardenforthreedays。Andthecarpetwemadeourselvesoutofoldclothes。Thereisapieceofthatbeautifulflannelpetticoatyouleftuslastsummer。\"
\"……Deafanddumbwasthechild；infact，thepopulationconsideredherhalfidiot……\"
\"Yes，thatisanewpictureoftheKaiser。Wehavemovedthethorn—crownedoneofJesusChristoutintothepassage。Itwasnotcheerfultosleepwith。DearFrauFischer，won’tyoutakeyourcoffeeoutinthegarden？\"
\"Thatisaveryniceidea。ButfirstImustremovemycorsetsandmyboots。Ah，whatarelieftowearsandalsagain。Iamneedingthe’cure’
verybadlythisyear。Mynerves!Iamamassofthem。DuringtheentirejourneyIsatwithmyhandkerchiefovermyhead，evenwhiletheguardcollectedthetickets。Exhausted!\"
Shecameintothearbourwearingablackandwhitespotteddressing—gown，andacalicocappeakedwithpatentleather，followedbyKathi，carryingthelittlebluejugsofmaltcoffee。Wewereformallyintroduced。FrauFischersatdown，producedaperfectlycleanpockethandkerchiefandpolishedhercupandsaucer，thenliftedthelidofthecoffee—potandpeeredinatthecontentsmournfully。
\"Maltcoffee，\"shesaid。\"Ah，forthefirstfewdaysIwonderhowIcanputupwithit。Naturally，absentfromhomeonemustexpectmuchdiscomfortandstrangefood。ButasIusedtosaytomydearhusband：
withacleansheetandagoodcupofcoffeeIcanfindmyhappinessanywhere。Butnow，withnerveslikemine，nosacrificeistooterribleformetomake。Whatcomplaintareyousufferingfrom？Youlookexceedinglyhealthy!\"
Ismiledandshruggedmyshoulders。
\"Ah，thatissostrangeaboutyouEnglish。Youdonotseemtoenjoydiscussingthefunctionsofthebody。Aswellspeakofarailwaytrainandrefusetomentiontheengine。Howcanwehopetounderstandanybody，knowingnothingoftheirstomachs？Inmyhusband’smostsevereillness——
thepoultices——\"
Shedippedapieceofsugarinhercoffeeandwatcheditdissolve。
\"YetayoungfriendofminewhotravelledtoEnglandforthefuneralofhisbrothertoldmethatwomenworebodicesinpublicrestaurantsnowaitercouldhelplookingintoashehandedthesoup。\"
\"ButonlyGermanwaiters，\"Isaid。\"Englishoneslookoverthetopofyourhead。\"
\"There，\"shecried，\"nowyouseeyourdependenceonGermany。Notevenanefficientwaitercanyouhavebyyourselves。\"
\"ButIpreferthemtolookoveryourhead。\"
\"Andthatprovesthatyoumustbeashamedofyourbodice。\"
Ilookedoutoverthegardenfullofwall—flowersandstandardrose—treesgrowingstifflylikeGermanbouquets，feelingIdidnotcareonewayortheother。IratherwantedtoaskheriftheyoungfriendhadgonetoEnglandinthecapacityofwaitertoattendthefuneralbakedmeats，butdecideditwasnotworthit。Theweatherwastoohottobemalicious，andwhocouldbeuncharitable，victimisedbytheflappingsensationswhichFrauFischerwasenduringuntilsix—thirty？Asagiftfromheavenformyforbearance，downthepathtowardsuscametheHerrRat，angelicallycladinawhitesilksuit。HeandFrauFischerwereoldfriends。Shedrewthefoldsofherdressing—gowntogether，andmaderoomforhimonthelittlegreenbench。
\"Howcoolyouarelooking，\"shesaid；\"andifImaymaketheremark——whatabeautifulsuit!\"
\"SurelyIworeitlastsummerwhenyouwerehere？IbroughtthesilkfromChina——smuggleditthroughtheRussiancustomsbyswathingitroundmybody。Andsuchaquantity：twodresslengthsformysister—in—law，threesuitsformyself，acloakforthehousekeeperofmyflatinMunich。HowI
perspired!Everyinchofithadtobewashedafterwards。\"
\"SurelyyouhavehadmoreadventuresthananymaninGermany。WhenIthinkofthetimethatyouspentinTurkeywithadrunkenguidewhowasbittenbyamaddogandfelloveraprecipiceintoafieldofattarofroses，I
lamentthatyouhavenotwrittenabook。\"
\"Time——time。Iamgettingafewnotestogether。Andnowthatyouarehereweshallrenewourquietlittletalksaftersupper。Yes？Itisnecessaryandpleasantforamantofindrelaxationinthecompanyofwomenoccasionally。\"
\"IndeedIrealisethat。Evenhereyourlifeistoostrenuous——youaresosoughtafter——soadmired。Itwasjustthesamewithmydearhusband。Hewasatall，beautifulman，andsometimesintheeveninghewouldcomedownintothekitchenandsay：’Wife，Iwouldliketobestupidfortwominutes。’Nothingrestedhimsomuchthenasformetostrokehishead。\"
TheHerrRat’sbaldpateglisteninginthesunlightseemedsymbolicalofthesadabsenceofawife。
Ibegantowonderastothenatureofthesequietlittleafter—suppertalks。HowcouldoneplayDelilahtososhornaSamson？
\"HerrHoffmannfromBerlinarrivedyesterday，\"saidtheHerrRat。
\"ThatyoungmanIrefusetoconversewith。HetoldmelastyearthathehadstayedinFranceinanhotelwheretheydidnothaveserviettes；whataplaceitmusthavebeen!InAustriaeventhecabmenhaveserviettes。AlsoIhaveheardthathediscussed’freelove’withBerthaasshewassweepinghisroom。Iamnotaccustomedtosuchcompany。Ihadsuspectedhimforalongtime。\"
\"Youngblood，\"answeredtheHerrRatgenially。\"Ihavehadseveraldisputeswithhim——youhaveheardthem——isitnotso？\"turningtome。
\"Agreatmany，\"Isaid，smiling。
\"Doubtlessyoutooconsidermebehindthetimes。Imakenosecretofmyage；Iamsixty—nine；butyoumusthavesurelyobservedhowimpossibleitwasforhimtospeakatallwhenIraisedmyvoice。\"
Irepliedwiththeutmostconviction，and，catchingFrauFischer’seye，suddenlyrealisedIhadbettergobacktothehouseandwritesomeletters。
Itwasdarkandcoolinmyroom。Achestnuttreepushedgreenboughsagainstthewindow。Ilookeddownatthehorsehairsofasoopenlyfloutingtheideaofcurlingupasimmoral，pulledtheredpillowontothefloorandlaydown。AndbarelyhadIgotcomfortablewhenthedooropenedandFrauFischerentered。
\"TheHerrRathadabathingappointment，\"shesaid，shuttingthedoorafterher。\"MayIcomein？Praydonotmove。YoulooklikealittlePersiankitten。Now，tellmesomethingreallyinterestingaboutyourlife。WhenI
meetnewpeopleIsqueezethemdrylikeasponge。Tobeginwith——youaremarried。\"
Iadmitthefact。
\"Then，dearchild，whereisyourhusband？\"
Isaidhewasasea—captainonalongandperilousvoyage。
\"Whatapositiontoleaveyouin——soyoungandsounprotected。\"
Shesatdownonthesofaandshookherfingeratmeplayfully。
\"Admit，now，thatyoukeepyourjourneyssecretfromhim。Forwhatmanwouldthinkofallowingawomanwithsuchawealthofhairtogowanderinginforeigncountries？Now，supposingthatyoulostyourpurseatmidnightinasnowboundtraininNorthRussia？\"
\"ButIhaven’ttheslightestintention——\"Ibegan。
\"Idon’tsaythatyouhave。Butwhenyousaidgood—byetoyourdearmanI
ampositivethatyouhadnointentionofcominghere。Mydear，Iamawomanofexperience，andIknowtheworld。Whileheisawayyouhaveafeverinyourblood。Yoursadheartfliesforcomforttotheseforeignlands。Athomeyoucannotbearthesightofthatemptybed———itislikewidowhood。SincethedeathofmydearhusbandIhaveneverknownanhour’speace。\"
\"Ilikeemptybeds，\"Iprotestedsleepily，thumpingthepillow。
\"Thatcannotbetruebecauseitisnotnatural。Everywifeoughttofeelthatherplaceisbyherhusband’sside——sleepingorwaking。Itisplaintoseethatthestrongesttieofalldoesnotyetbindyou。Waituntilalittlepairofhandsstretchesacrossthewater——waituntilhecomesintoharbourandseesyouwiththechildatyourbreast。\"
Isatupstiffly。
\"ButIconsiderchild—bearingthemostignominiousofallprofessions，\"I
said。
Foramomenttherewassilence。ThenFrauFischerreacheddownandcaughtmyhand。
\"Soyoungandyettosuffersocruelly，\"shemurmured。\"Thereisnothingthatsoursawomansoterriblyastobeleftalonewithoutaman，especiallyifsheismarried，forthenitisimpossibleforhertoaccepttheattentionofothers——unlesssheisunfortunatelyawidow。Ofcourse，I
knowthatsea—captainsaresubjecttoterribletemptations，andtheyareasinflammableastenorsingers——thatiswhyyoumustpresentabrightandenergeticappearance，andtryandmakehimproudofyouwhenhisshipreachesport。\"
ThishusbandthatIhadcreatedforthebenefitofFrauFischerbecameinherhandssosubstantialafigurethatIcouldnolongerseemyselfsittingonarockwithseaweedinmyhair，awaitingthatphantomshipforwhichallwomenlovetosupposetheyhunger。RatherIsawmyselfpushingaperambulatorupthegangway，andcountingupthemissingbuttonsonmyhusband’suniformjacket。
\"Handfulsofbabies，thatiswhatyouarereallyinneedof，\"musedFrauFischer。\"Then，asthefatherofafamilyhecannotleaveyou。Thinkofhisdelightandexcitementwhenhesawyou!\"
Theplanseemedtomesomethingofarisk。ToappearsuddenlywithhandfulsofstrangebabiesisnotgenerallycalculatedtoraiseenthusiasmintheheartoftheaverageBritishhusband。IdecidedtowreckmyvirginconceptionandsendhimdownsomewhereoffCapeHorn。
Thenthedinner—gongsounded。
\"Comeuptomyroomafterwards，\"saidFrauFischer。\"ThereisstillmuchthatImustaskyou。\"
Shesqueezedmyhand，butIdidnotsqueezeback。
5。FRAUBRECHENMACHERATTENDSAWEDDING。
Gettingreadywasaterriblebusiness。AftersupperFrauBrechenmacherpackedfourofthefivebabiestobed，allowingRosatostaywithherandhelptopolishthebuttonsofHerrBrechenmacher’suniform。Thensheranoverhisbestshirtwithahotiron，polishedhisboots，andputastitchortwointohisblacksatinnecktie。
\"Rosa，\"shesaid，\"fetchmydressandhangitinfrontofthestovetogetthecreasesout。Now，mind，youmustlookafterthechildrenandnotsituplaterthanhalf—pasteight，andnottouchthelamp——youknowwhatwillhappenifyoudo。\"
\"Yes，Mamma，\"saidRosa，whowasnineandfeltoldenoughtomanageathousandlamps。\"Butletmestayup——the’Bub’maywakeandwantsomemilk。\"
\"Half—pasteight!\"saidtheFrau。\"I’llmakethefathertellyoutoo。\"
Rosadrewdownthecornersofhermouth。
\"But……but……\"
\"Herecomesthefather。Yougointothebedroomandfetchmybluesilkhandkerchief。YoucanwearmyblackshawlwhileI’mout——therenow!\"
Rosadraggeditoffhermother’sshouldersandwounditcarefullyroundherown，tyingthetwoendsinaknotattheback。Afterall，shereflected，ifshehadtogotobedathalfpasteightshewouldkeeptheshawlon。
Whichresolutioncomfortedherabsolutely。
\"Now，then，wherearemyclothes？\"criedHerrBrechenmacher，hanginghisemptyletter—bagbehindthedoorandstampingthesnowoutofhisboots。
\"Nothingready，ofcourse，andeverybodyattheweddingbythistime。I
heardthemusicasIpassed。Whatareyoudoing？You’renotdressed。Youcan’tgolikethat。\"
\"Heretheyare——allreadyforyouonthetable，andsomewarmwaterinthetinbasin。Dipyourheadin。Rosa，giveyourfatherthetowel。
Everythingreadyexceptthetrousers。Ihaven’thadtimetoshortenthem。
Youmusttucktheendsintoyourbootsuntilwegetthere。\"
\"Nu，\"saidtheHerr，\"thereisn’troomtoturn。Iwantthelight。Yougoanddressinthepassage。\"
DressinginthedarkwasnothingtoFrauBrechenmacher。Shehookedherskirtandbodice，fastenedherhandkerchiefroundherneckwithabeautifulbroochthathadfourmedalstotheVirgindanglingfromit，andthendrewonhercloakandhood。
\"Here，comeandfastenthisbuckle，\"calledHerrBrechenmacher。Hestoodinthekitchenpuffinghimselfout，thebuttonsonhisblueuniformshiningwithanenthusiasmwhichnothingbutofficialbuttonscouldpossiblypossess。\"HowdoIlook？\"
\"Wonderful，\"repliedthelittleFrau，strainingatthewaistbuckleandgivinghimalittlepullhere，alittletugthere。\"Rosa，comeandlookatyourfather。\"
HerrBrechenmacherstrodeupanddownthekitchen，washelpedonwithhiscoat，thenwaitedwhiletheFraulightedthelantern。
\"Now，then——finishedatlast!Comealong。\"
\"Thelamp，Rosa，\"warnedtheFrau，slammingthefrontdoorbehindthem。
Snowhadnotfallenallday；thefrozengroundwasslipperyasanicepond。
Shehadnotbeenoutofthehouseforweekspast，andthedayhadsoflurriedherthatshefeltmuddledandstupid——feltthatRosahadpushedheroutofthehouseandhermanwasrunningawayfromher。
\"Wait，wait!\"shecried。
\"No。I’llgetmyfeetdamp——youhurry。\"
Itwaseasierwhentheycameintothevillage。Therewerefencestoclingto，andleadingfromtherailwaystationtotheGasthausalittlepathofcindershadbeenstrewnforthebenefitoftheweddingguests。
TheGasthauswasveryfestive。Lightsshoneoutfromeverywindow，wreathsoffirtwigshungfromtheledges。Branchesdecoratedthefrontdoors，whichswungopen，andinthehallthelandlordvoicedhissuperioritybybullyingthewaitresses，whoranaboutcontinuallywithglassesofbeer，traysofcupsandsaucers，andbottlesofwine。
\"Upthestairs——upthestairs!\"boomedthelandlord。\"Leaveyourcoatsonthelanding。\"
HerrBrechenmacher，completelyoverawedbythisgrandmanner，sofarforgothisrightsasahusbandastobeghiswife’spardonforjostlingheragainstthebanistersinhiseffortstogetaheadofeverybodyelse。
HerrBrechenmacher’scolleaguesgreetedhimwithacclamationasheenteredthedooroftheFestsaal，andtheFraustraightenedherbroochandfoldedherhands，assumingtheairofdignitybecomingtothewifeofapostmanandthemotheroffivechildren。BeautifulindeedwastheFestsaal。Threelongtablesweregroupedatoneend，theremainderofthefloorspaceclearedfordancing。Oillamps，hangingfromtheceiling，shedawarm，brightlightonthewallsdecoratedwithpaperflowersandgarlands；shedawarmer，brighterlightontheredfacesoftheguestsintheirbestclothes。
Attheheadofthecentretablesatthebrideandbridegroom，sheinawhitedresstrimmedwithstripesandbowsofcolouredribbon，givinghertheappearanceofanicedcakeallreadytobecutandservedinneatlittlepiecestothebridegroombesideher，whoworeasuitofwhiteclothesmuchtoolargeforhimandawhitesilktiethatrosehalfwayuphiscollar。Groupedaboutthem，withafineregardfordignityandprecedence，sattheirparentsandrelations；andperchedonastoolatthebride’srighthandalittlegirlinacrumpledmuslindresswithawreathofforget—me—notshangingoveroneear。Everybodywaslaughingandtalking，shakinghands，clinkingglasses，stampingonthefloor——astenchofbeerandperspirationfilledtheair。
FrauBrechenmacher，followinghermandowntheroomaftergreetingthebridalparty，knewthatshewasgoingtoenjoyherself。Sheseemedtofilloutandbecomerosyandwarmasshesniffedthatfamiliarfestivesmell。
Somebodypulledatherskirt，and，lookingdown，shesawFrauRupp，thebutcher’swife，whopulledoutanemptychairandbeggedhertositbesideher。
\"Fritzwillgetyousomebeer，\"shesaid。\"Mydear，yourskirtisopenattheback。Wecouldnothelplaughingasyouwalkeduptheroomwiththewhitetapeofyourpetticoatshowing!\"
\"Buthowfrightful!\"saidFrauBrechenmacher，collapsingintoherchairandbitingherlip。
\"Na，it’sovernow，\"saidFrauRupp，stretchingherfathandsoverthetableandregardingherthreemourningringswithintenseenjoyment；\"butonemustbecareful，especiallyatawedding。\"
\"Andsuchaweddingasthis，\"criedFrauLedermann，whosatontheothersideofFrauBrechenmacher。\"FancyTheresabringingthatchildwithher。
It’sherownchild，youknow，mydear，andit’sgoingtolivewiththem。
That’swhatIcallasinagainsttheChurchforafree—bornchildtoattenditsownmother’swedding。\"
Thethreewomensatandstaredatthebride，whoremainedverystill，withalittlevacantsmileonherlips，onlyhereyesshiftinguneasilyfromsidetoside。
\"Beerthey’vegivenit，too，\"whisperedFrauRupp，\"andwhitewineandanice。Itneverdidhaveastomach；sheoughttohaveleftitathome。\"
FrauBrechenmacherturnedroundandlookedtowardsthebride’smother。Shenevertookhereyesoffherdaughter，butwrinkledherbrownforeheadlikeanoldmonkey，andnoddednowandagainverysolemnly。Herhandsshookassheraisedherbeermug，andwhenshehaddrunkshespatonthefloorandsavagelywipedhermouthwithhersleeve。ThenthemusicstartedandshefollowedTheresawithhereyes，lookingsuspiciouslyateachmanwhodancedwithher。
\"Cheerup，oldwoman，\"shoutedherhusband，diggingherintheribs；\"thisisn’tTheresa’sfuneral。\"Hewinkedattheguests，whobrokeintoloudlaughter。
\"IAMcheerful，\"mumbledtheoldwoman，andbeatuponthetablewithherfist，keepingtimetothemusic，provingshewasnotoutofthefestivities。
\"Shecan’tforgethowwildTheresahasbeen，\"saidFrauLedermann。\"Whocould——withthechildthere？IheardthatlastSundayeveningTheresahadhystericsandsaidthatshewouldnotmarrythisman。Theyhadtogetthepriesttoher。\"
\"Whereistheotherone？\"askedFrauBrechenmacher。\"Whydidn’themarryher？\"
Thewomanshruggedhershoulders。
\"Gone——disappeared。Hewasatraveller，andonlystayedattheirhousetwonights。Hewassellingshirtbuttons——Iboughtsomemyself，andtheywerebeautifulshirtbuttons——butwhatapigofafellow!Ican’tthinkwhathesawinsuchaplaingirl——butyouneverknow。Hermothersaysshe’sbeenlikefireeversinceshewassixteen!\"
FrauBrechenmacherlookeddownatherbeerandblewalittleholeinthefroth。
\"That’snothowaweddingshouldbe，\"shesaid；\"it’snotreligiontolovetwomen。\"
\"Nicetimeshe’llhavewiththisone，\"FrauRuppexclaimed。\"HewaslodgingwithmelastsummerandIhadtogetridofhim。Heneverchangedhisclothesonceintwomonths，andwhenIspoketohimofthesmellinhisroomhetoldmehewassureitfloatedupfromtheshop。Ah，everywifehashercross。Isn’tthattrue，mydear？\"
FrauBrechenmachersawherhusbandamonghiscolleaguesatthenexttable。
Hewasdrinkingfartoomuch，sheknew——gesticulatingwildly，thesalivasplutteringoutofhismouthashetalked。
\"Yes，\"sheassented，\"that’strue。Girlshavealottolearn。\"
Wedgedinbetweenthesetwofatoldwomen，theFrauhadnohopeofbeingaskedtodance。Shewatchedthecouplesgoingroundandround；sheforgotherfivebabiesandhermanandfeltalmostlikeagirlagain。Themusicsoundedsadandsweet。Herroughenedhandsclaspedandunclaspedthemselvesinthefoldsofherskirt。Whilethemusicwentonshewasafraidtolookanybodyintheface，andshesmiledwithalittlenervoustremorroundthemouth。
\"But，myGod，\"FrauRuppcried，\"they’vegiventhatchildofTheresa’sapieceofsausage。It’stokeepherquiet。There’sgoingtobeapresentationnow——yourmanhastospeak。\"
FrauBrechenmachersatupstiffly。Themusicceased，andthedancerstooktheirplacesagainatthetables。
HerrBrechenmacheraloneremainedstanding——heheldinhishandsabigsilvercoffee—pot。Everybodylaughedathisspeech，excepttheFrau；
everybodyroaredathisgrimaces，andatthewayhecarriedthecoffee—pottothebridalpair，asifitwereababyhewasholding。
Sheliftedthelid，peepedin，thenshutitdownwithalittlescreamandsatbitingherlips。Thebridegroomwrenchedthepotawayfromheranddrewforthababy’sbottleandtwolittlecradlesholdingchinadolls。AshedandledthesetreasuresbeforeTheresathehotroomseemedtoheaveandswaywithlaughter。
FrauBrechenmacherdidnotthinkitfunny。Shestaredroundatthelaughingfaces，andsuddenlytheyallseemedstrangetoher。Shewantedtogohomeandnevercomeoutagain。Sheimaginedthatallthesepeoplewerelaughingather，morepeoplethantherewereintheroomeven——alllaughingatherbecausetheyweresomuchstrongerthanshewas……
Theywalkedhomeinsilence。HerrBrechenmacherstrodeahead，shestumbledafterhim。Whiteandforsakenlaytheroadfromtherailwaystationtotheirhouse——acoldrushofwindblewherhoodfromherface，andsuddenlysherememberedhowtheyhadcomehometogetherthefirstnight。Nowtheyhadfivebabiesandtwiceasmuchmoney；BUT——
\"Na，whatisitallfor？\"shemuttered，andnotuntilshehadreachedhome，andpreparedalittlesupperofmeatandbreadforhermandidshestopaskingherselfthatsillyquestion。
HerrBrechenmacherbrokethebreadintohisplate，smeareditroundwithhisforkandchewedgreedily。
\"Good？\"sheasked，leaningherarmsonthetableandpillowingherbreastagainstthem。
\"Butfine!\"
Hetookapieceofthecrumb，wipeditroundhisplateedge，andheldituptohermouth。Sheshookherhead。
\"Nothungry，\"shesaid。
\"Butitisoneofthebestpieces，andfullofthefat。\"
Heclearedtheplate；thenpulledoffhisbootsandflungthemintoacorner。
\"Notmuchofawedding，\"hesaid，stretchingouthisfeetandwrigglinghistoesintheworstedsocks。
\"N——no，\"shereplied，takingupthediscardedbootsandplacingthemontheoventodry。
HerrBrechenmacheryawnedandstretchedhimself，andthenlookedupather，grinning。
\"Rememberthenightthatwecamehome？Youwereaninnocentone，youwere。\"
\"Getalong!SuchatimeagoIforget。\"Wellsheremembered。
\"Suchacloutontheearasyougaveme……ButIsoontaughtyou。\"
\"Oh，don’tstarttalking。You’vetoomuchbeer。Cometobed。\"
Hetiltedbackinhischair，chucklingwithlaughter。
\"That’snotwhatyousaidtomethatnight。God，thetroubleyougaveme!\"
ButthelittleFrauseizedthecandleandwentintothenextroom。Thechildrenwereallsoundlysleeping。Shestrippedthemattressoffthebaby’sbedtoseeifhewasstilldry，thenbeganunfasteningherblouseandskirt。
\"Alwaysthesame，\"shesaid——\"allovertheworldthesame；but，Godinheaven——butSTUPID。
Theneventhememoryoftheweddingfadedquite。ShelaydownonthebedandputherarmacrossherfacelikeachildwhoexpectedtobehurtasHerrBrechenmacherlurchedin。
6。THEMODERNSOUL。
\"Good—evening，\"saidtheHerrProfessor，squeezingmyhand；\"wonderfulweather!Ihavejustreturnedfromapartyinthewood。Ihavebeenmakingmusicforthemonmytrombone。Youknow，thesepine—treesprovidemostsuitableaccompanimentforatrombone!Theyaresighingdelicacyagainstsustainedstrength，asIremarkedonceinalectureonwindinstrumentsinFrankfort。MayIbepermittedtositbesideyouonthisbench，gnadigeFrau？\"
Hesatdown，tuggingatawhite—paperpackageinthetailpocketofhiscoat。
\"Cherries，\"hesaid，noddingandsmiling。\"Thereisnothinglikecherriesforproducingfreesalivaaftertromboneplaying，especiallyafterGrieg’s’IchLiebeDich。’Thosesustainedblastson’liebe’makemythroatasdryasarailwaytunnel。Havesome？\"Heshookthebagatme。
\"Ipreferwatchingyoueatthem。\"
\"Ah，ha!\"Hecrossedhislegs，stickingthecherrybagbetweenhisknees，toleavebothhandsfree。\"PsychologicallyIunderstoodyourrefusal。Itisyourinnatefemininedelicacyinpreferringetherealisedsensations……Orperhapsyoudonotcaretoeattheworms。Allcherriescontainworms。
OnceImadeaveryinterestingexperimentwithacolleagueofmineattheuniversity。Webitintofourpoundsofthebestcherriesanddidnotfindonespecimenwithoutaworm。Butwhatwouldyou？AsIremarkedtohimafterwards——dearfriend，itamountstothis：ifonewishestosatisfythedesiresofnatureonemustbestrongenoughtoignorethefactsofnature……Theconversationisnotoutofyourdepth？IhavesoseldomthetimeoropportunitytoopenmyhearttoawomanthatIamapttoforget。\"
Ilookedathimbrightly。
\"Seewhatafatone!\"criedtheHerrProfessor。\"Thatisalmostamouthfulinitself；itisbeautifulenoughtohangfromawatch—chain。\"Hecheweditupandspatthestoneanincredibledistance——overthegardenpathintotheflowerbed。Hewasproudofthefeat。Isawit。\"ThequantityoffruitIhaveeatenonthisbench，\"hesighed；\"apricots，peachesandcherries。Onedaythatgardenbedwillbecomeanorchardgrove，andI
shallallowyoutopickasmuchasyouplease，withoutpayingmeanything。\"
Iwasgrateful，withoutshowingundueexcitement。
\"Whichremindsme\"——hehitthesideofhisnosewithonefinger——\"themanagerofthepensionhandedmemyweeklybillafterdinnerthisevening。
Itisalmostimpossibletocredit。Idonotexpectyoutobelieveme——hehaschargedmeextraforamiserablelittleglassofmilkIdrinkinbedatnighttopreventinsomnia。Naturally，Ididnotpay。Butthetragedyofthestoryisthis：Icannotexpectthemilktoproducesomnolenceanylonger；mypeacefulattitudeofmindtowardsitiscompletelydestroyed。I
knowIshallthrowmyselfintoafeverinattemptingtoplumbthiswantofgenerosityinsowealthyamanasthemanagerofapension。Thinkofmeto—night。\"——hegroundtheemptybagunderhisheel——\"thinkthattheworstishappeningtomeasyourheaddropsasleeponyourpillow。\"
Twoladiescameonthefrontstepsofthepensionandstood，arminarm，lookingoverthegarden。Theone，oldandscraggy，dressedalmostentirelyinblackbeadtrimmingandasatinreticule；theother，youngandthin，inawhitegown，heryellowhairtastefullygarnishedwithmauvesweetpeas。
TheProfessordrewinhisfeetandsatupsharply，pullingdownhiswaistcoat。