\"TheGodowskas，\"hemurmured。\"Doyouknowthem？AmotheranddaughterfromVienna。Themotherhasaninternalcomplaintandthedaughterisanactress。FrauleinSoniaisaverymodernsoul。Ithinkyouwouldfindhermostsympathetic。Sheisforcedtobeinattendanceonhermotherjustnow。Butwhatatemperament!Ihaveoncedescribedherinherautographalbumasatigresswithaflowerinthehair。Willyouexcuseme？PerhapsIcanpersuadethemtobeintroducedtoyou。\"
Isaid，\"Iamgoinguptomyroom。\"ButtheProfessorroseandshookaplayfulfingeratme。\"Na，\"hesaid，\"wearefriends，and，therefore，I
shallspeakquitefranklytoyou。Ithinktheywouldconsideritalittle’marked’ifyouimmediatelyretiredtothehouseattheirapproach，aftersittingherealonewithmeinthetwilight。Youknowthisworld。Yes，youknowitasIdo。\"
Ishruggedmyshoulders，remarkingwithoneeyethatwhiletheProfessorhadbeentalkingtheGodowskashadtrailedacrossthelawntowardsus。
TheyconfrontedtheHerrProfessorashestoodup。
\"Good—evening，\"quaveredFrauGodowska。\"Wonderfulweather!Ithasgivenmequiteatouchofhayfever!\"FrauleinGodowskasaidnothing。SheswoopedoverarosegrowingintheembryoorchardthenstretchedoutherhandwithamagnificentgesturetotheHerrProfessor。Hepresentedme。
\"ThisismylittleEnglishfriendofwhomIhavespoken。Sheisthestrangerinourmidst。Wehavebeeneatingcherriestogether。\"
\"Howdelightful，\"sighedFrauGodowska。\"MydaughterandIhaveoftenobservedyouthroughthebedroomwindow。Haven’twe，Sonia？\"
Soniaabsorbedmyoutwardandvisibleformwithaninwardandspiritualglance，thenrepeatedthemagnificentgestureformybenefit。Thefourofussatonthebench，withthatfaintairofexcitementofpassengersestablishedinarailwaycarriageonthequiviveforthetrainwhistle。
FrauGodowskasneezed。\"Iwonderifitishayfever，\"sheremarked，worryingthesatinreticuleforherhandkerchief，\"orwoulditbethedew。
Sonia，dear，isthedewfalling？\"
FrauleinSoniaraisedherfacetothesky，andhalfclosedhereyes。\"No，mamma，myfaceisquitewarm。Oh，look，HerrProfessor，thereareswallowsinflight；theyarelikealittleflockofJapanesethoughts——nichtwahr？\"
\"Where？\"criedtheHerrProfessor。\"Ohyes，Isee，bythekitchenchimney。
Butwhydoyousay’Japanese’？CouldyounotcomparethemwithequalveracitytoalittleflockofGermanthoughtsinflight？\"Heroundedonme。\"HaveyouswallowsinEngland？\"
\"Ibelievetherearesomeatcertainseasons。ButdoubtlesstheyhavenotthesamesymbolicalvaluefortheEnglish。InGermany——\"
\"IhaveneverbeentoEngland，\"interruptedFrauleinSonia，\"butIhavemanyEnglishacquaintances。Theyaresocold!\"Sheshivered。
\"Fish—blooded，\"snappedFrauGodowska。\"Withoutsoul，withoutheart，withoutgrace。Butyoucannotequaltheirdressmaterials。IspentaweekinBrightontwentyyearsago，andthetravellingcapeIboughtthereisnotyetwornout——theoneyouwrapthehot—waterbottlein，Sonia。Mylamentedhusband，yourfather，Sonia，knewagreatdealaboutEngland。Butthemoreheknewaboutittheoftenerheremarkedtome，’Englandismerelyanislandofbeeffleshswimminginawarmgulfseaofgravy。’Suchabrilliantwayofputtingthings。Doyouremember，Sonia？\"
\"Iforgetnothing，mamma，\"answeredSonia。
SaidtheHerrProfessor：\"Thatistheproofofyourcalling，gnadigesFraulein。NowIwonder——andthisisaveryinterestingspeculation——ismemoryablessingor——excusetheword——acurse？\"
FrauGodowskalookedintothedistance，thenthecornersofhermouthdroppedandherskinpuckered。Shebegantoshedtears。
\"AchGott!Graciouslady，whathaveIsaid？\"exclaimedtheHerrProfessor。
Soniatookhermother’shand。\"Doyouknow，\"shesaid，\"to—nightitisstewedcarrotsandnuttartforsupper。Supposewegoinandtakeourplaces，\"hersidelong，tragicstareaccusingtheProfessorandmethewhile。
Ifollowedthemacrossthelawnandupthesteps。FrauGodowskawasmurmuring，\"Suchawonderful，belovedman\"；withherdisengagedhandFrauleinSoniawasarrangingthesweetpea\"garniture。\"……
\"AconcertforthebenefitofafflictedCatholicinfantswilltakeplaceinthesalonateight—thirtyP。M。Artists：FrauleinSoniaGodowska，fromVienna；HerrProfessorWindbergandhistrombone；FrauOberlehrerWeidel，andothers。\"
Thisnoticewastiedroundtheneckofthemelancholystag’sheadinthedining—room。Itgracedhimlikearedandwhitedinnerbibfordaysbeforetheevent，causingtheHerrProfessortobowbeforeitandsay\"goodappetite\"untilwesickenedofhispleasantryandleftthesmilingtobedonebythewaiter，whowaspaidtobepleasingtotheguests。
Ontheappointeddaythemarriedladiessailedaboutthepensiondressedlikeupholsteredchairs，andtheunmarriedladieslikedrapedmuslindressing—tablecovers。FrauGodowskapinnedaroseinthecentreofherreticule；anotherblossomwastuckedinthemazyfoldsofawhiteantimacassarthrownacrossherbreast。Thegentlemenworeblackcoats，whitesilktiesandfernybuttonholesticklingthechin。
Thefloorofthesalonwasfreshlypolished，chairsandbenchesarranged，andarowoflittleflagsstrungacrosstheceiling——theyflewandjiggedinthedraughtwithalltheenthusiasmoffamilywashing。ItwasarrangedthatIshouldsitbesideFrauGodowska，andthattheHerrProfessorandSoniashouldjoinuswhentheirshareoftheconcertwasover。
\"Thatwillmakeyoufeelquiteoneoftheperformers，\"saidtheHerrProfessorgenially。\"ItisagreatpitythattheEnglishnationissounmusical。Nevermind!To—nightyoushallhearsomething——wehavediscoveredanestoftalentduringtherehearsals。\"
\"Whatdoyouintendtorecite，FrauleinSonia？\"
Sheshookbackherhair。\"Ineverknowuntilthelastmoment。WhenIcomeonthestageIwaitforonemomentandthenIhavethesensationasthoughsomethingstruckmehere，\"——sheplacedherhanduponhercollarbrooch——\"and……wordscome!\"
\"Benddownamoment，\"whisperedhermother。\"Sonia，love，yourskirtsafety—pinisshowingattheback。ShallIcomeoutsideandfastenitproperlyforyou，orwillyoudoityourself？\"
\"Oh，mamma，pleasedon’tsaysuchthings，\"Soniaflushedandgrewveryangry。\"YouknowhowsensitiveIamtotheslightestunsympatheticimpressionatatimelikethis……Iwouldrathermyskirtdroppedoffmybody——\"
\"Sonia——myheart!\"
Abelltinkled。
Thewaitercameinandopenedthepiano。Intheheatedexcitementofthemomentheentirelyforgotwhatwasfitting，andflickedthekeyswiththegrimytablenapkinhecarriedoverhisarm。TheFrauOberlehrertrippedontheplatformfollowedbyaveryyounggentleman，whoblewhisnosetwicebeforehehurledhishandkerchiefintothebosomofthepiano。
\"Yes，Iknowyouhavenoloveforme，Andnoforget—me—not。
Nolove，noheart，andnoforget—me—not。\"
sangtheFrauOberlehrer，inavoicethatseemedtoissuefromherforgottenthimbleandhavenothingtodowithher。
\"Ach，howsweet，howdelicate，\"wecried，clappinghersoothingly。Shebowedasthoughtosay，\"Yes，isn’tit？\"andretired，theveryyounggentlemandodginghertrainandscowling。
Thepianowasclosed，anarm—chairwasplacedinthecentreoftheplatform。FrauleinSoniadriftedtowardsit。Abreathlesspause。Then，presumably，thewingedshaftstruckhercollarbrooch。Sheimploredusnottogointothewoodsintraineddresses，butratheraslightlydrapedaspossible，andbedwithheramongthepineneedles。Herloud，slightlyharshvoicefilledthesalon。Shedroppedherarmsoverthebackofthechair，movingherleanhandsfromthewrists。Wewerethrilledandsilent。
TheHerrProfessor，besideme，abnormallyserious，hiseyesbulging，pulledathismoustacheends。FrauGodowskaadoptedthatpeculiarlydetachedattitudeoftheproudparent。Theonlysoulwhoremaineduntouchedbyherappealwasthewaiter，wholeanedidlyagainstthewallofthesalonandcleanedhisnailswiththeedgeofaprogramme。Hewas\"offduty\"andintendedtoshowit。
\"WhatdidIsay？\"shoutedtheHerrProfessorundercoveroftumultuousapplause，\"tem—per—ament!Thereyouhaveit。Sheisaflameintheheartofalily。IknowIamgoingtoplaywell。Itismyturnnow。Iaminspired。FrauleinSonia\"——asthatladyreturnedtous，paleanddrapedinalargeshawl——\"youaremyinspiration。To—nightyoushallbethesoulofmytrombone。Waitonly。\"
TorightandleftofuspeoplebentoverandwhisperedadmirationdownFrauleinSonia’sneck。Shebowedinthegrandstyle。
\"Iamalwayssuccessful，\"shesaidtome。\"Yousee，whenIactIAM。InVienna，intheplaysofIbsenwehadsomanybouquetsthatthecookhadthreeinthekitchen。Butitisdifficulthere。Thereissolittlemagic。
Doyounotfeelit？ThereisnoneofthatmysteriousperfumewhichfloatsalmostasavisiblethingfromthesoulsoftheVienneseaudiences。Myspiritstarvesforwantofthat。\"Sheleanedforward，chinonhand。
\"Starves，\"sherepeated。
TheProfessorappearedwithhistrombone，blewintoit，heldituptooneeye，tuckedbackhisshirtcuffsandwallowedinthesoulofSoniaGodowska。SuchasensationdidhecreatethathewasrecalledtoplayaBavariandance，whichheacknowledgedwastobetakenasabreathingexerciseratherthananartisticachievement。FrauGodowskakepttimetoitwithafan。
Followedtheveryyounggentlemanwhopipedinatenorvoicethathelovedsomebody，\"withbloodinhisheartandathousandpains。\"FrauleinSoniaactedapoisonscenewiththeassistanceofhermother’spillvialandthearm—chairreplacedbya\"chaiselongue\"；ayounggirlscratchedalullabyonayoungfiddle；andtheHerrProfessorperformedthelastsacrificialritesonthealtaroftheafflictedchildrenbyplayingtheNationalAnthem。
\"NowImustputmammatobed，\"whisperedFrauleinSonia。\"ButafterwardsI
musttakeawalk。ItisimperativethatIfreemyspiritintheopenairforamoment。Wouldyoucomewithmeasfarastherailwaystationandback？\"
\"Verywell，then，knockonmydoorwhenyou’reready。\"
ThusthemodernsoulandIfoundourselvestogetherunderthestars。
\"Whatanight!\"shesaid。\"DoyouknowthatpoemofSapphoaboutherhandsinthestars……Iamcuriouslysapphic。Andthisissoremarkable——notonlyamIsapphic，Ifindinalltheworksofallthegreatestwriters，especiallyintheiruneditedletters，sometouch，somesignofmyself——someresemblance，somepartofmyself，likeathousandreflectionsofmyownhandsinadarkmirror。\"
\"Butwhatabother，\"saidI。
\"Idonotknowwhatyoumeanby’bother’；isitratherthecurseofmygenius……\"Shepausedsuddenly，staringatme。\"Doyouknowmytragedy？\"
sheasked。
Ishookmyhead。
\"Mytragedyismymother。LivingwithherIlivewiththecoffinofmyunbornaspirations。Youheardthataboutthesafety—pinto—night。Itmayseemtoyoualittlething，butitruinedmythreefirstgestures。Theywere——\"
\"Impaledonasafety—pin，\"Isuggested。
\"Yes，exactlythat。AndwhenweareinViennaIamthevictimofmoods，youknow。Ilongtodowild，passionatethings。Andmammasays，’Pleasepouroutmymixturefirst。’OnceIrememberIflewintoarageandthrewawashstandjugoutofthewindow。Doyouknowwhatshesaid？’Sonia，itisnotsomuchthrowingthingsoutofwindows，ifonlyyouwould——’\"
\"Choosesomethingsmaller？\"saidI。
\"No……’tellmeaboutitbeforehand。’Humiliating!AndIdonotseeanypossiblelightoutofthisdarkness。\"
\"Whydon’tyoujoinatouringcompanyandleaveyourmotherinVienna？\"
\"What!Leavemypoor，little，sick，widowedmotherinVienna!SoonerthanthatIwoulddrownmyself。IlovemymotherasIlovenobodyelseintheworld——nobodyandnothing!Doyouthinkitisimpossibletoloveone’stragedy？’OutofmygreatsorrowsImakemylittlesongs，’thatisHeineormyself。\"
\"Oh，well，that’sallright，\"Isaidcheerfully。
\"’Butitisnotallright!\"
Isuggestedweshouldturnback。Weturned。
\"SometimesIthinkthesolutionliesinmarriage，\"saidFrauleinSonia。
\"IfIfindasimple，peacefulmanwhoadoresmeandwilllookaftermamma——amanwhowouldbeformeapillow——forgeniuscannothopetomate——I
shallmarryhim……YouknowtheHerrProfessorhaspaidmeverymarkedattentions。\"
\"Oh，FrauleinSonia，\"Isaid，verypleasedwithmyself，\"whynotmarryhimtoyourmother？\"Wewerepassingthehairdresser’sshopatthemoment。
FrauleinSoniaclutchedmyarm。
\"You，you，\"shestammered。\"Thecruelty。Iamgoingtofaint。MammatomarryagainbeforeImarry——theindignity。Iamgoingtofainthereandnow。\"
Iwasfrightened。\"Youcan’t，\"Isaid，shakingher。
\"Comebacktothepensionandfaintasmuchasyouplease。Butyoucan’tfainthere。Alltheshopsareclosed。Thereisnobodyabout。Pleasedon’tbesofoolish。\"
\"Hereandhereonly!\"Sheindicatedtheexactspotanddroppedquitebeautifully，lyingmotionless。
\"Verywell，\"Isaid，\"faintaway；butpleasehurryoverit。\"
Shedidnotmove。Ibegantowalkhome，buteachtimeIlookedbehindmeI
sawthedarkformofthemodernsoulpronebeforethehairdresser’swindow。
FinallyIran，androotedouttheHerrProfessorfromhisroom。\"FrauleinSoniahasfainted，\"Isaidcrossly。
\"DulieberGott!Where？How？\"
\"Outsidethehairdresser’sshopintheStationRoad。\"
\"JesusandMaria!Hasshenowaterwithher？\"——heseizedhiscarafe——
\"nobodybesideher？\"
\"Nothing。\"
\"Whereismycoat？Nomatter，Ishallcatchacoldonthechest。
Willingly，Ishallcatchone……Youarereadytocomewithme？\"
\"No，\"Isaid；\"youcantakethewaiter。\"
\"Butshemusthaveawoman。Icannotbesoindelicateastoattempttoloosenherstays。\"
\"Modernsoulsoughtn’ttowearthem，\"saidI。Hepushedpastmeandclattereddownthestairs……
WhenIcamedowntobreakfastnextmorningthereweretwoplacesvacantattable。FrauleinSoniaandHerrProfessorhadgoneoffforaday’sexcursioninthewoods。
Iwondered。
7。ATLEHMANN’S。
CertainlySabinadidnotfindlifeslow。Shewasonthetrotfromearlymorninguntillateatnight。Atfiveo’clockshetumbledoutofbed，buttonedonherclothes，wearingalong—sleevedalpacapinaforeoverherblackfrock，andgropedherwaydownstairsintothekitchen。
Anna，thecook，hadgrownsofatduringthesummerthatsheadoredherbedbecauseshedidnothavetowearhercorsetsthere，butcouldspreadasmuchassheliked，rollaboutunderthegreatmattress，callinguponJesusandHolyMaryandBlessedAnthonyhimselfthatherlifewasnotfitforapiginacellar。
Sabinawasnewtoherwork。Pinkcolourstillflewinhercheeks；therewasalittledimpleontheleftsideofhermouththatevenwhenshewasmostserious，mostabsorbed，poppedoutandgaveheraway。AndAnnablessedthatdimple。Itmeantanextrahalf—hourinbedforher；itmadeSabinalightthefire，turnoutthekitchenandwashendlesscupsandsaucersthathadbeenleftoverfromtheeveningbefore。Hans，thesculleryboy，didnotcomeuntilseven。Hewasthesonofthebutcher——amean，undersizedchildverymuchlikeoneofhisfather’ssausages，Sabinathought。Hisredfacewascoveredwithpimples，andhisnailsindescribablyfilthy。WhenHerrLehmannhimselftoldHanstogetahairpinandcleanthemhesaidtheywerestainedfrombirthbecausehismotherhadalwaysgotsoinkydoingtheaccounts——andSabinabelievedhimandpitiedhim。
WinterhadcomeveryearlytoMindelbau。BytheendofOctoberthestreetswerebankedwaist—highwithsnow，andthegreaternumberofthe\"CureGuests，\"sickuntodeathofcoldwaterandherbs，haddepartedinnothingapproachingpeace。SothelargesalonwasshutatLehmann’sandthebreakfast—roomwasalltheaccommodationthecafeafforded。Herethefloorhadtobewashedover，thetablesrubbed，coffee—cupssetout，eachwithitslittlechinaplatterofsugar，andnewspapersandmagazineshungontheirhooksalongthewallsbeforeHerrLehmannappearedatseven—thirtyandopenedbusiness。
Asarulehiswifeservedintheshopleadingintothecafe，butshehadchosenthequietseasontohaveababy，and，abigwomanatthebestoftimes，shehadgrownsoenormousintheprocessthatherhusbandtoldhershelookedunappetising，andhadbetterremainupstairsandsew。
Sabinatookontheextraworkwithoutanythoughtofextrapay。Shelovedtostandbehindthecounter，cuttingupslicesofAnna’smarvellouschocolate—spottedconfections，ordoinguppacketsofsugaralmondsinpinkandbluestripedbags。
\"You’llgetvaricoseveins，likeme，\"saidAnna。\"That’swhattheFrau’sgot，too。Nowonderthebabydoesn’tcome!Allherswelling’sgotintoherlegs。\"AndHanswasimmenselyinterested。
Duringthemorningbusinesswascomparativelyslack。Sabinaansweredtheshopbell，attendedtoafewcustomerswhodrankaliqueurtowarmtheirstomachsbeforethemiddaymeal，andranupstairsnowandagaintoasktheFrauifshewantedanything。Butintheafternoonsixorsevenchoicespiritsplayedcards，andeverybodywhowasanybodydrankteaorcoffee。
\"Sabina……Sabina……\"
Sheflewfromonetabletotheother，countingouthandfulsofsmallchange，givingorderstoAnnathroughthe\"slide，\"helpingthemenwiththeirheavycoats，alwayswiththatmagicalchildairabouther，thatdelightfulsenseofperpetuallyattendingaparty。
\"HowistheFrauLehmann？\"thewomenwouldwhisper。
\"Shefeelsratherlow，butaswellascanbeexpected，\"Sabinawouldanswer，noddingconfidentially。
FrauLehmann’sbadtimewasapproaching。Annaandherfriendsreferredtoitasher\"journeytoRome，\"andSabinalongedtoaskquestions，yet，beingashamedofherignorance，wassilent，tryingtopuzzleitoutforherself。
SheknewpracticallynothingexceptthattheFrauhadababyinsideher，whichhadtocomeout——verypainfulindeed。Onecouldnothaveonewithoutahusband——thatshealsorealised。Butwhathadthemangottodowithit？
Soshewonderedasshesatmendingteatowelsintheevening，headbentoverherwork，lightshiningonherbrowncurls。Birth——whatwasit？
wonderedSabina。Death——suchasimplething。Shehadalittlepictureofherdeadgrandmotherdressedinablacksilkfrock，tiredhandsclaspingthecrucifixthatdraggedbetweenherflattenedbreasts，mouthcuriouslytight，yetalmostsecretlysmiling。Butthegrandmotherhadbeenbornonce——thatwastheimportantfact。
Asshesatthereoneevening，thinking，theYoungManenteredthecafe，andcalledforaglassofportwine。Sabinaroseslowly。Thelongdayandthehotroommadeherfeelalittlelanguid，butasshepouredoutthewineshefelttheYoungMan’seyesfixedonher，lookeddownathimanddimpled。
\"It’scoldout，\"shesaid，corkingthebottle。
TheYoungManranhishandsthroughhissnow—powderedhairandlaughed。
\"Iwouldn’tcallitexactlytropical，\"hesaid，\"Butyou’reverysnuginhere——lookasthoughyou’vebeenasleep。\"
VerylanguidfeltSabinainthehotroom，andtheYoungMan’svoicewasstronganddeep。Shethoughtshehadneverseenanybodywholookedsostrong——asthoughhecouldtakeupthetableinonehand——andhisrestlessgazewanderingoverherfaceandfiguregaveheracuriousthrilldeepinherbody，halfpleasure，halfpain……Shewantedtostandthere，closebesidehim，whilehedrankhiswine。Alittlesilencefollowed。Thenhetookabookoutofhispocket，andSabinawentbacktohersewing。Sittingthereinthecorner，shelistenedtothesoundoftheleavesbeingturnedandtheloudtickingoftheclockthathungoverthegiltmirror。Shewantedtolookathimagain——therewasasomethingabouthim，inhisdeepvoice，eveninthewayhisclothesfitted。FromtheroomabovesheheardtheheavydraggingsoundofFrauLehmann’sfootsteps，andagaintheoldthoughtsworriedSabina。Ifsheherselfshouldonedaylooklikethat——feellikethat!Yetitwouldbeverysweettohavealittlebabytodressandjumpupanddown。
\"Fraulein——what’syourname——whatareyousmilingat？\"calledtheYoungMan。
Sheblushedandlookedup，handsquietinherlap，lookedacrosstheemptytablesandshookherhead。
\"Comehere，andI’llshowyouapicture，\"hecommanded。
Shewentandstoodbesidehim。Heopenedthebook，andSabinasawacolouredsketchofanakedgirlsittingontheedgeofagreat，crumpledbed，aman’soperahatonthebackofherhead。
Heputhishandoverthebody，leavingonlythefaceexposed，thenscrutinisedSabinaclosely。
\"Well？\"
\"Whatdoyoumean？\"sheasked，knowingperfectlywell。
\"Why，itmightbeyourownphotograph——theface，Imean——that’sasfarasI
canjudge。\"
\"Butthehair’sdonedifferently，\"saidSabina，laughing。Shethrewbackherhead，andthelaughterbubbledinherroundwhitethroat。
\"It’sratheranicepicture，don’tyouthink？\"heasked。Butshewaslookingatacuriousringheworeonthehandthatcoveredthegirl’sbody，andonlynodded。
\"Everseenanythinglikeitbefore？\"
\"Oh，there’splentyofthosefunnyonesintheillustratedpapers。\"
\"Howwouldyouliketohaveyourpicturetakenthatway？\"
\"Me？I’dneverletanybodyseeit。Besides，Ihaven’tgotahatlikethat!\"
\"That’seasilyremedied。\"
Againalittlesilence，brokenbyAnnathrowinguptheslide。
Sabinaranintothekitchen。
\"Here，takethismilkandegguptotheFrau，\"saidAnna。\"Who’veyougotinthere？\"
\"Gotsuchafunnyman!Ithinkhe’salittlegonehere，\"tappingherforehead。
UpstairsintheuglyroomtheFrausatsewing，ablackshawlroundhershoulders，herfeetencasedinredwoollenslippers。Thegirlputthemilkonatablebyher，thenstood，polishingaspoononherapron。
\"Nothingelse？\"
\"Na，\"saidtheFrau，heavingupinherchair。\"Where’smyman？\"
\"He’splayingcardsoveratSnipold’s。Doyouwanthim？\"
\"Dearheaven，leavehimalone。I’mnothing。Idon’tmatter……Andthewholedaywaitinghere。\"
Herhandshookasshewipedtherimoftheglasswithherfatfinger。
\"ShallIhelpyoutobed？\"
\"Yougodownstairs，leavemealone。TellAnnanottoletHansgrubthesugar——givehimoneontheear。\"
\"Ugly——ugly——ugly，\"mutteredSabina，returningtothecafewheretheYoungManstoodcoat—buttoned，readyfordeparture。
\"I’llcomeagainto—morrow，\"saidhe。\"Don’ttwistyourhairbacksotightly；itwillloseallitscurl。\"
\"Well，youareafunnyone，\"shesaid。\"Goodnight。\"
BythetimeSabinawasreadyforbedAnnawassnoring。Shebrushedoutherlonghairandgathereditinherhands……Perhapsitwouldbeapityifitlostallitscurl。Thenshelookeddownatherstraightchemise，anddrawingitoff，satdownonthesideofthebed。
\"Iwish，\"shewhispered，smilingsleepily，\"therewasagreatbiglooking—glassinthisroom。\"
Lyingdowninthedarkness，shehuggedherlittlebody。
\"Iwouldn’tbetheFrauforonehundredmarks——notforathousandmarks。
Tolooklikethat。\"
Andhalf—dreaming，sheimaginedherselfheavingupinherchairwiththeportwinebottleinherhandastheYoungManenteredthecafe。
Coldanddarkthenextmorning。Sabinawoke，tired，feelingasthoughsomethingheavyhadbeenpressingunderherheartallnight。Therewasasoundoffootstepsshufflingalongthepassage。HerrLehmann!Shemusthaveoversleptherself。Yes，hewasrattlingthedoor—handle。
\"Onemoment，onemoment，\"shecalled，draggingonherstockings。
\"Bina，tellAnnatogototheFrau——butquickly。Imustrideforthenurse。\"
\"Yes，yes!\"shecried。\"Hasitcome？\"
Buthehadgone，andsheranovertoAnnaandshookherbytheshoulder。
\"TheFrau——thebaby——HerrLehmannforthenurse，\"shestuttered。
\"NameofGod!\"saidAnna，flingingherselfoutofbed。
Nocomplaintsto—day。Importance——enthusiasminAnna’swholebearing。
\"Yourundownstairsandlighttheoven。Putonapanofwater\"——speakingtoanimaginarysuffererasshefastenedherblouse——\"Yes，yes，Iknow——wemustbeworsebeforewearebetter——I’mcoming——patience。\"
Itwasdarkallthatday。Lightswereturnedonimmediatelythecafeopened，andbusinesswasverybrisk。Anna，turnedoutoftheFrau’sroombythenurse，refusedtowork，andsatinacornernursingherself，listeningtosoundsoverhead。HanswasmoresympatheticthanSabina。Healsoforsookwork，andstoodbythewindow，pickinghisnose。
\"ButwhymustIdoeverything？\"saidSabina，washingglasses。\"Ican’thelptheFrau；sheoughtn’ttotakesuchatimeaboutit。\"
\"Listen，\"saidAnna，\"they’vemovedherintothebackbedroomabovehere，soasnottodisturbthepeople。Thatwasagroan——thatone!\"
\"Twosmallbeers，\"shoutedHerrLehmannthroughtheslide。
\"Onemoment，onemoment。\"
Ateighto’clockthecafewasdeserted。Sabinasatdowninthecornerwithouthersewing。NothingseemedtohavehappenedtotheFrau。Adoctorhadcome——thatwasall。
\"Ach，\"saidSabina。\"Ithinknomoreofit。Ilistennomore。Ach，I
wouldliketogoaway——Ihatethistalk。Iwillnothearit。No，itistoomuch。\"Sheleanedbothelbowsonthetable——cuppedherfaceinherhandsandpouted。
Buttheouterdoorsuddenlyopening，shesprangtoherfeetandlaughed。
ItwastheYoungManagain。Heorderedmoreport，andbroughtnobookthistime。
\"Don’tgoandsitmilesaway，\"hegrumbled。\"Iwanttobeamused。Andhere，takemycoat。Can’tyoudryitsomewhere？——snowingagain。\"
\"There’sawarmplace——theladies’cloak—room，\"shesaid。\"I’lltakeitinthere——justbythekitchen。\"
Shefeltbetter，andquitehappyagain。
\"I’llcomewithyou，\"hesaid。\"I’llseewhereyouputit。\"
Andthatdidnotseematallextraordinary。Shelaughedandbeckonedtohim。
\"Inhere，\"shecried。\"Feelhowwarm。I’llputmorewoodonthatoven。
Itdoesn’tmatter，they’reallbusyupstairs。\"
Shekneltdownonthefloor，andthrustthewoodintotheoven，laughingatherownwickedextravagance。
TheFrauwasforgotten，thestupiddaywasforgotten。Herewassomeonebesideherlaughing，too。TheyweretogetherinthelittlewarmroomstealingHerrLehmann’swood。Itseemedthemostexcitingadventureintheworld。Shewantedtogoonlaughing——orburstoutcrying——or——or——catchholdoftheYoungMan。
\"Whatafire，\"sheshrieked，stretchingoutherhands。
\"Here’sahand；pullup，\"saidtheYoungMan。\"There，now，you’llcatchitto—morrow。\"
Theystoodoppositetoeachother，handsstillclinging。AndagainthatstrangetremorthrilledSabina。
\"Lookhere，\"hesaidroughly，\"areyouachild，orareyouplayingatbeingone？\"
\"I——I——\"
Laughterceased。Shelookedupathimonce，thendownatthefloor，andbeganbreathinglikeafrightenedlittleanimal。
Hepulledhercloserstillandkissedhermouth。
\"Na，whatareyoudoing？\"shewhispered。
Heletgoherhands，heplacedhisonherbreasts，andtheroomseemedtoswimroundSabina。Suddenly，fromtheroomabove，afrightful，tearingshriek。
Shewrenchedherselfaway，tightenedherself，drewherselfup。
\"Whodidthat——whomadethatnoise？\"……
Inthesilencethethinwailingofababy。
\"Achk!\"shriekedSabina，rushingfromtheroom。
8。THELUFTBAD。
Ithinkitmustbetheumbrellaswhichmakeuslookridiculous。
WhenIwasadmittedintotheenclosureforthefirsttime，andsawmyfellow—batherswalkingaboutverynearly\"intheirnakeds，\"itstruckmethattheumbrellasgaveadistinctly\"LittleBlackSambo\"touch。
Ridiculousdignityinholdingoveryourselfagreencottonthingwitharedparroquethandlewhenyouaredressedinnothinglargerthanahandkerchief。
Therearenotreesinthe\"LuftBad。\"Itboastsacollectionofplain，woodencells，abathshelter，twoswingsandtwooddclubs——one，presumablythelostpropertyofHerculesortheGermanarmy，andtheothertobeusedwithsafetyinthecradle。
Andthereinallweatherswetaketheair——walking，orsittinginlittlecompaniestalkingovereachother’sailmentsandmeasurementsandillsthatfleshisheirto。
Ahighwoodenwallcompassesusallabout；aboveitthepine—treeslookdownalittlesuperciliously，nudgingeachotherinawaythatispeculiarlytryingtoadebutante。Overthewall，ontherightside，isthemen’ssection。Wehearthemchoppingdowntreesandsawingthroughplanks，dashingheavyweightstotheground，andsingingpartsongs。Yes，theytakeitfarmoreseriously。
OnthefirstdayIwasconsciousofmylegs，andwentbackintomycellthreetimestolookatmywatch，butwhenawomanwithwhomIhadplayedchessforthreeweekscutmedead，Itookheartandjoinedacircle。
WelaycurledonthegroundwhileaHungarianladyofimmenseproportionstolduswhatabeautifultombshehadboughtforhersecondhusband。
\"Avaultitis，\"shesaid，\"withniceblackrailings。AndsolargethatI
cangodownthereandwalkabout。Boththeirphotographsarethere，withtwoveryhandsomewreathssentmebymyfirsthusband’sbrother。Thereisanenlargementofafamilygroupphotograph，too，andanilluminatedaddresspresentedtomyfirsthusbandonhismarriage。Iamoftenthere；
itmakessuchapleasantexcursionforafineSaturdayafternoon。\"
Shesuddenlylaydownflatonherback，tookinsixlongbreaths，andsatupagain。
\"Thedeathagonywasdreadful，\"shesaidbrightly；\"ofthesecond，Imean。
The’first’wasrunintobyafurniturewagon，andhadfiftymarksstolenoutofanewwaistcoatpocket，butthe’second’wasdyingforsixty—sevenhours。Ineverceasedcryingonce——noteventoputthechildrentobed。\"
AyoungRussian，witha\"bang\"curlonherforehead，turnedtome。
\"Canyoudothe’Salome’dance？\"sheasked。\"Ican。\"
\"Howdelightful，\"Isaid。
\"ShallIdoitnow？Wouldyouliketoseeme？\"
Shesprangtoherfeet，executedaseriesofamazingcontortionsforthenexttenminutes，andthenpaused，panting，twistingherlonghair。
\"Isn’tthatnice？\"shesaid。\"AndnowIamperspiringsosplendidly。I
shallgoandtakeabath。\"
OppositetomewasthebrownestwomanIhaveeverseen，lyingonherback，herarmsclaspedoverherhead。
\"Howlonghaveyoubeenhereto—day？\"shewasasked。
\"Oh，Ispendthedayherenow，\"sheanswered。\"Iammakingmyown’cure，’
andlivingentirelyonrawvegetablesandnuts，andeachdayIfeelmyspiritisstrongerandpurer。Afterall，whatcanyouexpect？Themajorityofusarewalkingaboutwithpigcorpusclesandoxenfragmentsinourbrain。Thewonderistheworldisasgoodasitis。NowIliveonthesimple，providedfood\"——shepointedtoalittlebagbesideher——\"alettuce，acarrot，apotato，andsomenutsareample，rationalnourishment。Iwashthemunderthetapandeatthemraw，justastheycomefromtheharmlessearth——freshanduncontaminated。\"
\"Doyoutakenothingelseallday？\"Icried。
\"Water。AndperhapsabananaifIwakeinthenight。\"Sheturnedroundandleanedononeelbow。\"Youover—eatyourselfdreadfully，\"shesaid；
\"shamelessly!HowcanyouexpecttheFlameoftheSpirittoburnbrightlyunderlayersofsuperfluousflesh？\"
Iwishedshewouldnotstareatme，andthoughtofgoingtolookatmywatchagainwhenalittlegirlwearingastringofcoralbeadsjoinedus。
\"ThepoorFrauHauptmanncannotjoinusto—day，\"shesaid；\"shehascomeoutinspotsalloveronaccountofhernerves。Shewasveryexcitedyesterdayafterhavingwrittentwopost—cards。\"
\"Adelicatewoman，\"volunteeredtheHungarian，\"butpleasant。Fancy，shehasaseparateplateforeachofherfrontteeth!Butshehasnorighttoletherdaughterswearsuchshortsailorsuits。Theysitaboutonbenches，crossingtheirlegsinamostshamelessmanner。Whatareyougoingtodothisafternoon，FrauleinAnna？\"
\"Oh，\"saidtheCoralNecklace，\"theHerrOberleutnanthasaskedmetogowithhimtoLandsdorf。Hemustbuysomeeggstheretotakehometohismother。Hesavesapennyoneighteggsbyknowingtherightpeasantstobargainwith。\"
\"AreyouanAmerican？\"saidtheVegetableLady，turningtome。
\"No。\"
\"ThenyouareanEnglishwoman？\"
\"Well，hardly——\"
\"Youmustbeoneofthetwo；youcannothelpit。Ihaveseenyouwalkingaloneseveraltimes。Youwearyour——\"
Igotupandclimbedontotheswing。Theairwassweetandcool，rushingpastmybody。Above，whitecloudstraileddelicatelythroughthebluesky。
Fromthepineforeststreamedawildperfume，thebranchesswayedtogether，rhythmically，sonorously。Ifeltsolightandfreeandhappy——sochildish!
Iwantedtopokemytongueoutatthecircleonthegrass，who，drawingclosetogether，werewhisperingmeaningly。
\"Perhapsyoudonotknow，\"criedavoicefromoneofthecells，\"toswingisveryupsettingforthestomach？Afriendofminecouldkeepnothingdownforthreeweeksafterexcitingherselfso。\"
Iwenttothebathshelterandwashosed。
AsIdressed，someonetappedonthewall。
\"Doyouknow，\"saidavoice，\"thereisamanwhoLIVESintheLuftBadnextdoor？HeburieshimselfuptothearmpitsinmudandrefusestobelieveintheTrinity。\"
TheumbrellasarethesavinggraceoftheLuftBad。NowwhenIgo，Itakemyhusband’s\"storm\"gampandsitinacorner，hidingbehindit。
NotthatIamintheleastashamedofmylegs。
9。ABIRTHDAY。
AndreasBinzerwokeslowly。Heturnedoveronthenarrowbedandstretchedhimself——yawned——openinghismouthaswidelyaspossibleandbringinghisteethtogetherafterwardswithasharp\"click。\"Thesoundofthatclickfascinatedhim；herepeateditquicklyseveraltimes，withasnappingmovementofthejaws。Whatteeth!hethought。Soundasabell，everymanjackofthem。Neverhadoneout，neverhadonestopped。Thatcomesofnotomfooleryineating，andagoodregularbrushingnightandmorning。Heraisedhimselfonhisleftelbowandwavedhisrightarmoverthesideofthebedtofeelforthechairwhereheputhiswatchandchainovernight。
Nochairwasthere——ofcourse，he’dforgotten，therewasn’tachairinthiswretchedspareroom。Hadtoputtheconfoundedthingunderhispillow。
\"Half—pasteight，Sunday，breakfastatnine——timeforthebath\"——hisbraintickedtothewatch。Hesprangoutofbedandwentovertothewindow。
Thevenetianblindwasbroken，hungfan—shapedovertheupperpane……\"Thatblindmustbemended。I’llgettheofficeboytodropinandfixitonhiswayhometo—morrow——he’sagoodhandatblinds。Givehimtwopenceandhe’lldoitaswellasacarpenter……Annacoulddoitherselfifshewasallright。SowouldI，forthematterofthat，butIdon’tliketotrustmyselfonricketystep—ladders。\"Helookedupatthesky：itshone，strangelywhite，unfleckedwithcloud；helookeddownattherowofgardenstripsandbackyards。Thefenceofthesegardenswasbuiltalongtheedgeofagully，spannedbyanironsuspensionbridge，andthepeoplehadawretchedhabitofthrowingtheiremptytinsoverthefenceintothegully。
Justlikethem，ofcourse!Andreasstartedcountingthetins，anddecided，viciously，towritealettertothepapersaboutitandsignit——signitinfull。
Theservantgirlcameoutoftheirbackdoorintotheyard，carryinghisboots。Shethrewonedownontheground，thrustherhandintotheother，andstaredatit，suckinginhercheeks。Suddenlyshebentforward，spatonthetoecap，andstartedpolishingwithabrushrootedoutofherapronpocket……\"Slutofagirl!Heavenknowswhatinfectiousdiseasemaybebreedingnowinthatboot。Annamustgetridofthatgirl——evenifshehastodowithoutoneforabit——assoonasshe’supandaboutagain。Thewayshechuckedonebootdownandthenspatupontheother!Shedidn’tcarewhosebootsshe’dgotholdof。SHEhadnofalsenotionsoftherespectduetothemasterofthehouse。\"Heturnedawayfromthewindowandswitchedhisbathtowelfromthewashstandrail，sickatheart。\"I’mtoosensitiveforaman——that’swhat’sthematterwithme。Havebeenfromthebeginning，andwillbetotheend。\"
Therewasagentleknockatthedoorandhismothercamein。Sheclosedthedoorafterherandleantagainstit。Andreasnoticedthathercapwascrooked，andalongtailofhairhungoverhershoulder。Hewentforwardandkissedher。
\"Goodmorning，mother；how’sAnna？\"
Theoldwomanspokequickly，claspingandunclaspingherhands。
\"Andreas，pleasegotoDoctorErbassoonasyouaredressed。\"
\"Why，\"hesaid，\"isshebad？\"
FrauBinzernodded，andAndreas，watchingher，sawherfacesuddenlychange；afinenetworkofwrinklesseemedtopulloveritfromundertheskinsurface。
\"Sitdownonthebedamoment，\"hesaid。\"Beenupallnight？\"
\"Yes。No，Iwon’tsitdown，Imustgobacktoher。Annahasbeeninpainallnight。Shewouldn’thaveyoudisturbedbeforebecauseshesaidyoulookedsorundownyesterday。Youtoldheryouhadcaughtacoldandbeenveryworried。\"
StraightwayAndreasfeltthathewasbeingaccused。
\"Well，shemademetellher，worrieditoutofme；youknowthewayshedoes。\"
AgainFrauBinzernodded。
\"Ohyes，Iknow。Shesays，isyourcoldbetter，andthere’sawarmundervestforyouintheleft—handcornerofthebigdrawer。\"
QuiteautomaticallyAndreasclearedhisthroattwice。
\"Yes，\"heanswered。\"Tellhermythroatcertainlyfeelslooser。IsupposeI’dbetternotdisturbher？\"
\"No，andbesides，TIME，Andreas。\"
\"I’llbereadyinfiveminutes。\"
Theywentintothepassage。AsFrauBinzeropenedthedoorofthefrontbedroom，alongwailcamefromtheroom。
ThatshockedandterrifiedAndreas。Hedashedintothebathroom，turnedonbothtapsasfarastheywouldgo，cleanedhisteethandparedhisnailswhilethewaterwasrunning。
\"Frightfulbusiness，frightfulbusiness，\"heheardhimselfwhispering。
\"AndIcan’tunderstandit。Itisn’tasthoughitwereherfirst——it’sherthird。OldSchafertoldme，yesterday，hiswifesimply’dropped’herfourth。Annaoughttohavehadaqualifiednurse。Mothergiveswaytoher。Motherspoilsher。IwonderwhatshemeantbysayingI’dworriedAnnayesterday。Niceremarktomaketoahusbandatatimelikethis。
Unstrung，Isuppose——andmysensitivenessagain。\"
Whenhewentintothekitchenforhisboots，theservantgirlwasbentoverthestove，cookingbreakfast。\"Breathingintothat，now，Isuppose，\"
thoughtAndreas，andwasveryshortwiththeservantgirl。Shedidnotnotice。Shewasfullofterrifiedjoyandimportanceinthegoingsonupstairs。Shefeltshewaslearningthesecretsoflifewitheverybreathshedrew。Hadlaidthetablethatmorningsaying，\"Boy，\"assheputdownthefirstdish，\"Girl，\"assheplacedthesecond——ithadworkedoutwiththesaltspoonto\"Boy。\"\"FortwopinsI’dtellthemasterthat，tocomforthim，like，\"shedecided。ButtheMastergavehernoopening。
\"Putanextracupandsauceronthetable，\"hesaid；\"thedoctormaywantsomecoffee。\"
\"Thedoctor，sir？\"Theservantgirlwhippedaspoonoutofapan，andspilttwodropsofgreaseonthestove。\"ShallIfrysomethingextra？\"
Butthemasterhadgone，slammingthedoorafterhim。Hewalkeddownthestreet——therewasnobodyaboutatall——deadandalivethisplaceonaSundaymorning。Ashecrossedthesuspensionbridgeastrongstenchoffennelanddecayedrefusestreamedfromthegulley，andagainAndreasbeganconcoctingaletter。Heturnedintothemainroad。Theshutterswerestillupbeforetheshops。Scrapsofnewspaper，hay，andfruitskinsstrewedthepavement；thegutterswerechokedwiththeleavingsofSaturdaynight。Twodogssprawledinthemiddleoftheroad，scufflingandbiting。
Onlythepublic—houseatthecornerwasopen；ayoungbarmansloppedwateroverthedoorstep。
Fastidiously，hislipscurling，Andreaspickedhiswaythroughthewater。
\"ExtraordinaryhowIamnoticingthingsthismorning。It’spartlytheeffectofSunday。IloatheaSundaywhenAnna’stiedbythelegandthechildrenareaway。OnSundayamanhastherighttoexpecthisfamily。
Everythinghere’sfilthy，thewholeplacemightbedownwiththeplague，andwillbe，too，ifthisstreet’snotsweptaway。I’dliketohaveahandonthegovernmentropes。\"Hebracedhisshoulders。\"Nowforthisdoctor。\"
\"DoctorErbisatbreakfast，\"themaidinformedhim。Sheshowedhimintothewaiting—room，adarkandmustyplace，withsomefernsunderaglass—casebythewindow。\"Hesayshewon’tbeaminute，please，sir，andthereisapaperonthetable。\"
\"Unhealthyhole，\"thoughtBinzer，walkingovertothewindowanddrumminghisfingersontheglassfern—shade。\"Atbreakfast，ishe？That’sthemistakeImade：turningoutearlyonanemptystomach。\"
Amilkcartrattleddownthestreet，thedriverstandingattheback，crackingawhip；heworeanimmensegeraniumflowerstuckinthelapelofhiscoat。Firmasarockhestood，bendingbackalittleintheswayingcart。Andreascranedhisnecktowatchhimallthewaydowntheroad，evenafterhehadgone，listeningforthesharpsoundofthoserattlingcans。
\"H’m，notmuchwrongwithhim，\"hereflected。\"Wouldn’tmindatasteofthatlifemyself。Upearly，workalloverbyeleveno’clock，nothingtodobutloafaboutalldayuntilmilkingtime。\"Whichheknewwasanexaggeration，buthewantedtopityhimself。
Themaidopenedthedoor，andstoodasideforDoctorErb。Andreaswheeledround；thetwomenshookhands。
\"Well，Binzer，\"saidthedoctorjovially，brushingsomecrumbsfromapearl—colouredwaistcoat，\"sonandheirbecomingimportunate？\"
UpwentBinzer’sspiritswithabound。Sonandheir，byJove!Hewasgladtohavetodealwithamanagain。Andasanefellowthis，whocameacrossthissortofthingeverydayoftheweek。
\"That’saboutthemeasureofit，Doctor，\"heanswered，smilingandpickinguphishat。\"Motherdraggedmeoutofbedthismorningwithimperativeorderstobringyoualong。\"
\"Gigwillberoundinaminute。Drivebackwithme，won’tyou？
Extraordinary，sultryday；you’reasredasabeetrootalready。\"
Andreasaffectedtolaugh。Thedoctorhadoneannoyinghabit——imaginedhehadtherighttopokefunateverybodysimplybecausehewasadoctor。
\"Theman’sriddledwithconceit，likealltheseprofessionals，\"Andreasdecided。
\"WhatsortofnightdidFrauBinzerhave？\"askedthedoctor。\"Ah，here’sthegig。Tellmeonthewayup。Sitasnearthemiddleasyoucan，willyou，Binzer？Yourweighttiltsitoverabitoneside——that’stheworstofyousuccessfulbusinessmen。\"
\"TwostoneheavierthanI，ifhe’sapound，\"thoughtAndreas。\"Themanmaybeallrightinhisprofession——butheavenpreserveme。\"
\"Offyougo，mybeauty。\"DoctorErbflickedthelittlebrownmare。\"Didyourwifegetanysleeplastnight？\"
\"No；Idon’tthinkshedid，\"answeredAndreasshortly。\"Totellyouthetruth，I’mnotsatisfiedthatshehasn’tanurse。\"
\"Oh，yourmother’sworthadozennurses，\"criedthedoctor，withimmensegusto。\"Totellyouthetruth，I’mnotkeenonnurses——tooraw——rawasrump—steak。TheywrestleforababyasthoughtheywerewrestlingwithDeathforthebodyofPatroclus……EverseenthatpicturebyanEnglishartist。Leighton？Wonderfulthing——fullofsinew!\"
\"Therehegoesagain，\"thoughtAndreas，\"airingoffhisknowledgetomakeafoolofme。\"
\"Nowyourmother——she’sfirm——she’scapable。Doeswhatshe’stoldwithafundofsympathy。Lookattheseshopswe’repassing——they’refesteringsores。Howonearththisgovernmentcantolerate——\"
\"They’renotsobad——soundenough——onlywantacoatofpaint。\"
Thedoctorwhistledalittletuneandflickedthemareagain。
\"Well，Ihopetheyoungshaverwon’tgivehismothertoomuchtrouble，\"hesaid。\"Hereweare。\"
Askinnylittleboy，whohadbeenslidingupanddownthebackseatofthegig，sprangoutandheldthehorse’shead。Andreaswentstraightintothedining—roomandlefttheservantgirltotakethedoctorupstairs。Hesatdown，pouredoutsomecoffee，andbitthroughhalfarollbeforehelpinghimselftofish。Thenhenoticedtherewasnohotplateforthefish——thewholehousewasatsixesandsevens。Herangthebell，buttheservantgirlcameinwithatrayholdingabowlofsoupandahotplate。
\"I’vebeenkeepingthemonthestove，\"shesimpered。
\"Ah，thanks，that’sverykindofyou。\"Asheswallowedthesouphisheartwarmedtothisfoolofagirl。
\"Oh，it’sagoodthingDoctorErbhascome，\"volunteeredtheservantgirl，whowasburstingforwantofsympathy。
\"H’m，h’m，\"saidAndreas。
Shewaitedamoment，expectantly，rollinghereyes，theninfullloathingofmenkindwentbacktothekitchenandvowedherselftosterility。
Andreasclearedthesoupbowl，andclearedthefish。Asheate，theroomslowlydarkened。Afaintwindsprangupandbeatthetreebranchesagainstthewindow。Thedining—roomlookedoverthebreakwateroftheharbour，andtheseaswungheavilyinrollingwaves。Windcreptroundthehouse，moaningdrearily。
\"We’reinforastorm。ThatmeansI’mboxeduphereallday。Well，there’soneblessing；it’llcleartheair。\"Heheardtheservantgirlrushingimportantlyroundthehouse，slammingwindows。Thenhecaughtaglimpseofherinthegarden，unpeggingteatowelsfromthelineacrossthelawn。Shewasaworker，therewasnodoubtaboutthat。Hetookupabook，andwheeledhisarm—chairovertothewindow。Butitwasuseless。Toodarktoread；hedidn’tbelieveinstraininghiseyes，andgasatteno’clockinthemorningseemedabsurd。Soheslippeddowninthechair，leanedhiselbowsonthepaddedarmsandgavehimselfup，foronce，toidledreaming。\"Aboy？Yes，itwasboundtobeaboythistime……\"\"What’syourfamily，Binzer？\"\"Oh，I’vetwogirlsandaboy!\"Averynicelittlenumber。Ofcoursehewasthelastmantohaveafavouritechild，butamanneededason。\"I’mworkingupthebusinessformyson!Binzer&Son!Itwouldmeanlivingverytightforthenexttenyears，cuttingexpensesasfineaspossible；andthen——\"
Atremendousgustofwindspranguponthehouse，seizedit，shookit，dropped，onlytogripthemoretightly。Thewavesswelledupalongthebreakwaterandwerewhippedwithbrokenfoam。Overthewhiteskyflewtatteredstreamersofgreycloud。
AndreasfeltquiterelievedtohearDoctorErbcomingdownthestairs；hegotupandlitthegas。
\"MindifIsmokeinhere？\"askedDoctorErb，lightingacigarettebeforeAndreashadtimetoanswer。\"Youdon’tsmoke，doyou？Notimetoindulgeinperniciouslittlehabits!\"
\"Howisshenow？\"askedAndreas，loathingtheman。
\"Oh，wellascanbeexpected，poorlittlesoul。Shebeggedmetocomedownandhavealookatyou。Saidsheknewyouwereworrying。\"Withlaughingeyesthedoctorlookedatthebreakfast—table。\"Managedtopeckabit，I
see，eh？\"
\"Hoo—wih!\"shoutedthewind，shakingthewindow—sashes。
\"Pity——thisweather，\"saidDoctorErb。
\"Yes，itgetsonAnna’snerves，andit’sjustnerveshewants。\"
\"Eh，what’sthat？\"retortedthedoctor。\"Nerve!Manalive!She’sgottwicethenerveofyouandmerolledintoone。Nerve!she’snothingbutnerve。Awomanwhoworksasshedoesaboutthehouseandhasthreechildreninfouryearsthrowninwiththedusting，sotospeak!\"
Hepitchedhishalf—smokedcigaretteintothefireplaceandfrownedatthewindow。
\"NowHE’Saccusingme，\"thoughtAndreas。\"That’sthesecondtimethismorning——firstmotherandnowthismantakingadvantageofmysensitiveness。\"Hecouldnottrusthimselftospeak，andrangthebellfortheservantgirl。
\"Clearawaythebreakfastthings，\"heordered。\"Ican’thavethemmessingaboutonthetabletilldinner!\"
\"Don’tbehardonthegirl，\"coaxedDoctorErb。\"She’sgottwicetheworktodoto—day。\"
AtthatBinzer’sangerblazedout。
\"I’lltroubleyou，Doctor，nottointerferebetweenmeandmyservants!\"
Andhefeltafoolatthesamemomentfornotsaying\"servant。\"
DoctorErbwasnotperturbed。Heshookhishead，thrusthishandsintohispockets，andbeganbalancinghimselfontoeandheel。
\"You’rejaggedbytheweather，\"hesaidwryly，\"nothingelse。Agreatpity——thisstorm。Youknowclimatehasanimmenseeffectuponbirth。A
finedayperksawoman——givesherheartforherbusiness。Goodweatherisasnecessarytoaconfinementasitistoawashingday。Notbad——thatlastremarkofmine——foraprofessionalfossil，eh？\"
Andreasmadenoreply。
\"Well，I’llbegettingbacktomypatient。Whydon’tyoutakeawalk，andclearyourhead？That’stheideaforyou。\"
\"No，\"heanswered，\"Iwon’tdothat；it’stoorough。\"
Hewentbacktohischairbythewindow。Whiletheservantgirlclearedawayhepretendedtoread……thenhisdreams!Itseemedyearssincehehadhadthetimetohimselftodreamlikethat——heneverhadabreathingspace。
Saddledwithworkallday，andcouldn’tshakeitoffintheeveninglikeothermen。Besides，Annawasinterested——theytalkedofpracticallynothingelsetogether。Excellentmothershe’dmakeforaboy；shehadagripofthings。
Churchbellsstartedringingthroughthewindyair，nowsoundingasthoughfromveryfaraway，thenagainasthoughallthechurchesinthetownhadbeensuddenlytransplantedintotheirstreet。Theystirredsomethinginhim，thosebells，somethingvagueandtender。JustaboutthattimeAnnawouldcallhimfromthehall。\"Andreas，comeandhaveyourcoatbrushed。
I’mready。\"Thenofftheywouldgo，shehangingonhisarm，andlookingupathim。Shecertainlywasalittlething。Herememberedoncesayingwhentheywereengaged，\"Justashighasmyheart，\"andshehadjumpedontoastoolandpulledhisheaddown，laughing。Akidinthosedays，youngerthanherchildreninnature，brighter，more\"go\"and\"spirit\"inher。Thewayshe’drundowntheroadtomeethimafterbusiness!Andthewayshelaughedwhentheywerelookingforahouse。ByJove!thatlaughofhers!
Atthememoryhegrinned，thengrewsuddenlygrave。Marriagecertainlychangedawomanfarmorethanitdidaman。Talkaboutsoberingdown。Shehadlostallhergointwomonths!Well，oncethisboybusinesswasovershe’dgetstronger。Hebegantoplanalittletripforthem。He’dtakeherawayandthey’dloafabouttogethersomewhere。Afterall，dashit，theywereyoungstill。She’dgotintoagroove；he’dhavetoforceheroutofit，that’sall。
Hegotupandwentintothedrawing—room，carefullyshutthedoorandtookAnna’sphotographfromthetopofthepiano。Sheworeawhitedresswithabigbowofsomesoftstuffunderthechin，andstood，alittlestiffly，holdingasheafofartificialpoppiesandcorninherhands。Delicateshelookedeventhen；hermassesofhairgaveherthatlook。Sheseemedtodroopundertheheavybraidsofit，andyetshewassmiling。Andreascaughthisbreathsharply。Shewashiswife——thatgirl。Posh!ithadonlybeentakenfouryearsago。Hehelditclosetohim，bentforwardandkissedit。Thenrubbedtheglasswiththebackofhishand。Atthatmoment，fainterthanhehadheardinthepassage，moreterrifying，Andreasheardagainthatwailingcry。Thewindcaughtitupinmockingecho，blewitoverthehouse—tops，downthestreet，farawayfromhim。Heflungouthisarms，\"I’msodamnablyhelpless，\"hesaid，andthen，tothepicture，\"Perhapsit’snotasbadasitsounds；perhapsitisjustmysensitiveness。\"Inthehalflightofthedrawing—roomthesmileseemedtodeepeninAnna’sportrait，andtobecomesecret，evencruel。\"No，\"hereflected，\"thatsmileisnotatallherhappiestexpression——itwasamistaketoletherhaveittakensmilinglikethat。Shedoesn’tlooklikemywife——likethemotherofmyson。\"Yes，thatwasit，shedidnotlooklikethemotherofasonwhowasgoingtobeapartnerinthefirm。Thepicturegotonhisnerves；hehelditindifferentlights，lookedatitfromadistance，sideways，spent，itseemedtoAndreasafterwards，awholelifetimetryingtofititin。Themoreheplayedwithitthedeepergrewhisdislikeofit。ThricehecarrieditovertothefireplaceanddecidedtochuckitbehindtheJapaneseumbrellainthegrate；thenhethoughtitabsurdtowasteanexpensiveframe。Therewasnogoodinbeatingaboutthebush。Annalookedlikeastranger——abnormal，afreak——itmightbeapicturetakenjustbeforeorafterdeath。
Suddenlyherealisedthatthewindhaddropped，thatthewholehousewasstill，terriblystill。Coldandpale，withadisgustingfeelingthatspiderswerecreepinguphisspineandacrosshisface，hestoodinthecentreofthedrawing—room，hearingDoctorErb’sfootstepsdescendingthestairs。
HesawDoctorErbcomeintotheroom；theroomseemedtochangeintoagreatglassbowlthatspunround，andDoctorErbseemedtoswimthroughthisglassbowltowardshim，likeagoldfishinapearl—colouredwaistcoat。
\"Mybelovedwifehaspassedaway!\"Hewantedtoshoutitoutbeforethedoctorspoke。
\"Well，she’shookedaboythistime!\"saidDoctorErb。Andreasstaggeredforward。
\"Lookout。Keeponyourpins，\"saidDoctorErb，catchingDinzer’sarm，andmurmuring，ashefeltit，\"Flabbyasbutter。\"
AglowspreadalloverAndreas。Hewasexultant。
\"Well，byGod!NobodycanaccuseMEofnotknowingwhatsufferingis，\"hesaid。
10。THECHILD—WHO—WAS—TIRED。
Shewasjustbeginningtowalkalongalittlewhiteroadwithtallblacktreesoneitherside，alittleroadthatledtonowhere，andwherenobodywalkedatall，whenahandgrippedhershoulder，shookher，slappedherear。
\"Oh，oh，don’tstopme，\"criedtheChild—Who—Was—Tired。\"Letmego。\"
\"Getup，yougood—for—nothingbrat，\"saidavoice；\"getupandlighttheovenorI’llshakeeveryboneoutofyourbody。\"
Withanimmenseeffortsheopenedhereyes，andsawtheFraustandingby，thebabybundledunderonearm。ThethreeotherchildrenwhosharedthesamebedwiththeChild—Who—Was—Tired，accustomedtobrawls，sleptonpeacefully。InacorneroftheroomtheManwasfasteninghisbraces。
\"Whatdoyoumeanbysleepinglikethisthewholenightthrough——likeasackofpotatoes？You’veletthebabywethisbedtwice。\"
Shedidnotanswer，buttiedherpetticoatstring，andbuttonedonherplaidfrockwithcold，shakingfingers。
\"There，that’senough。Takethebabyintothekitchenwithyou，andheatthatcoldcoffeeonthespiritlampforthemaster，andgivehimtheloafofblackbreadoutofthetabledrawer。Don’tguzzleityourselforI’llknow。\"
TheFraustaggeredacrosstheroom，flungherselfontoherbed，drawingthepinkbolsterroundhershoulders。
Itwasalmostdarkinthekitchen。Shelaidthebabyonthewoodensettle，coveringhimwithashawl，thenpouredthecoffeefromtheearthenwarejugintothesaucepan，andsetitonthespiritlamptoboil。
\"I’msleepy，\"noddedtheChild—Who—Was—Tired，kneelingonthefloorandsplittingthedamppinelogsintolittlechips。\"That’swhyI’mnotawake。\"
Theoventookalongtimetolight。Perhapsitwascold，likeherself，andsleepy……Perhapsithadbeendreamingofalittlewhiteroadwithblacktreesoneitherside，alittleroadthatledtonowhere。
ThenthedoorwaspulledviolentlyopenandtheManstrodein。
\"Here，whatareyoudoing，sittingonthefloor？\"heshouted。\"Givememycoffee。I’vegottobeoff。Ugh!Youhaven’tevenwashedoverthetable。\"
Shesprangtoherfeet，pouredhiscoffeeintoanenamelcup，andgavehimbreadandaknife，then，takingawashragfromthesink，smearedovertheblacklinoleumedtable。
\"Swineofaday——swine’slife，\"mumbledtheMan，sittingbythetableandstaringoutofthewindowatthebruisedsky，whichseemedtobulgeheavilyoverthedullland。Hestuffedhismouthwithbreadandthenswilleditdownwiththecoffee。
TheChilddrewapailofwater，turneduphersleeves，frowningthewhileatherarms，asiftoscoldthemforbeingsothin，somuchlikelittlestuntedtwigs，andbegantomopoverthefloor。
\"StopsousingaboutthewaterwhileI’mhere，\"grumbledtheMan。\"Stopthebabysnivelling；it’sbeengoingonlikethatallnight。\"
TheChildgatheredthebabyintoherlapandsatrockinghim。
\"Ts——ts——ts，\"shesaid。\"He’scuttinghiseyeteeth，that’swhatmakeshimcryso。ANDdribble——Ineverseenababydribblelikethisone。\"Shewipedhismouthandnosewithacornerofherskirt。\"Somebabiesgettheirteethwithoutyouknowingit，\"shewenton，\"andsometakeonthiswayallthetime。Ionceheardofababythatdied，andtheyfoundallit’steethinitsstomach。\"
TheMangotup，unhookedhiscloakfromthebackofthedoor，andflungitroundhim。
\"There’sanothercoming，\"saidhe。
\"What——atooth!\"exclaimedtheChild，startledforthefirsttimethatmorningoutofherdreadfulheaviness，andthrustingherfingerintothebaby’smouth。
\"No，\"hesaidgrimly，\"anotherbaby。Now，getonwithyourwork；it’stimetheothersgotupforschool。\"Shestoodamomentquitesilently，hearinghisheavystepsonthestonepassage，thenthegravelwalk，andfinallytheslamofthefrontgate。
\"Anotherbaby!Hasn’tshefinishedhavingthemYET？\"thoughttheChild。
\"Twobabiesgettingeyeteeth——twobabiestogetupforinthenight——twobabiestocarryaboutandwashtheirlittlepiggyclothes!\"Shelookedwithhorrorattheoneinherarms，who，seemingtounderstandthecontemptuousloathingofhertiredglance，doubledhisfists，stiffenedhisbody，andbeganviolentlyscreaming。
\"Ts——ts——ts。\"Shelaidhimonthesettleandwentbacktoherfloor—
washing。Heneverceasedcryingforamoment，butshegotquiteusedtoitandkepttimewithherbroom。Oh，howtiredshewas!Oh，theheavybroomhandleandtheburningspotjustatthebackofherneckthatachedso，andafunnylittleflutteringfeelingjustatthebackofherwaistband，asthoughsomethingweregoingtobreak。
Theclockstrucksix。Shesetthepanofmilkintheoven，andwentintothenextroomtowakeanddressthethreechildren。AntonandHanslaytogetherinattitudesofmutualamitywhichcertainlyneverexistedoutoftheirsleepinghours。Lenawascurledup，herkneesunderherchin，onlyastraight，standing—uppigtailofhairshowingabovethebolster。
\"Getup，\"criedtheChild，speakinginavoiceofimmenseauthority，pullingoffthebedclothesandgivingtheboyssundrypokesanddigs。
\"I’vebeencallingyouthislasthalf—hour。It’slate，andI’lltellonyouifyoudon’tgetdressedthisminute。\"
AntonawokesufficientlytoturnoverandkickHansonatenderpart，whereuponHanspulledLena’spigtailuntilsheshriekedforhermother。
\"Oh，dobequiet，\"whisperedtheChild。\"Oh，dogetupanddress。Youknowwhatwillhappen。There——I’llhelpyou。\"
Butthewarningcametoolate。TheFraugotoutofbed，walkedinadeterminedfashionintothekitchen，returningwithabundleoftwigsinherhandfastenedtogetherwithastrongcord。Onebyoneshelaidthechildrenacrossherkneeandseverelybeatthem，expendingafinalburstofenergyontheChild—Who—Was—Tired，thenreturnedtobed，withacomfortablesenseofhermaternaldutiesingoodworkingorderfortheday。Verysubdued，thethreeallowedthemselvestobedressedandwashedbytheChild，whoevenlacedtheboys’boots，havingfoundthroughexperiencethatiflefttothemselvestheyhoppedaboutforatleastfiveminutestofindacomfortableledgefortheirfoot，andthenspatontheirhandsandbrokethebootlaces。
Whileshegavethemtheirbreakfasttheybecameuproarious，andthebabywouldnotceasecrying。Whenshefilledthetinkettlewithmilk，tiedontherubberteat，and，firstmoisteningitherself，triedwithlittlecoaxingwordstomakehimdrink，hethrewthebottleontothefloorandtrembledallover。
\"Eyeteeth!\"shoutedHans，hittingAntonovertheheadwithhisemptycup；
\"he’sgettingtheevil—eyeteeth，Ishouldsay。\"
\"Smarty!\"retortedLena，pokingouthertongueathim，andthen，whenhepromptlydidthesame，cryingatthetopofhervoice，\"Mother，Hansismakingfacesatme!\"
\"That’sright，\"saidHans；\"goonhowling，andwhenyou’reinbedto—nightI’llwaittillyou’reasleep，andthenI’llcreepoverandtakealittletinypieceofyourarmandtwistandtwistituntil——\"HeleantoverthetablemakingthemosthorriblefacesatLena，notnoticingthatAntonwasstandingbehindhischairuntilthelittleboybentoverandspatonhisbrother’sshavenhead。
\"Oh，weh!oh，weh!\"
TheChild—Who—Was—Tiredpushedandpulledthemapart，muffledthemintotheircoats，anddrovethemoutofthehouse。
\"Hurry，hurry!thesecondbell’srung，\"sheurged，knowingperfectlywellshewastellingastory，andratherexultinginthefact。Shewashedupthebreakfastthings，thenwentdowntothecellartolookoutthepotatoesandbeetroot。
Suchafunny，coldplacethecoalcellar!Withpotatoesbankedononecorner，beetrootinanoldcandlebox，twotubsofsauerkraut，andatwistedmassofdahliaroots——thatlookedasrealasthoughtheywerefightingoneanother，thoughttheChild。
Shegatheredthepotatoesintoherskirt，choosingbigoneswithfeweyesbecausetheywereeasiertopeel，andbendingoverthedullheapinthesilentcellar，shebegantonod。
\"Here，you，whatareyoudoingdownthere？\"criedtheFrau，fromthetopofthestairs。\"Thebaby’sfallenoffthesettle，andgotabumpasbigasaneggoverhiseye。Comeuphere，andI’llteachyou!\"
\"Itwasn’tme——itwasn’tme!\"screamedtheChild，beatenfromonesideofthehalltotheother，sothatthepotatoesandbeetrootrolledoutofherskirt。
TheFrauseemedtobeasbigasagiant，andtherewasacertainheavinessinallhermovementsthatwasterrifyingtoanyonesosmall。
\"Sitinthecorner，andpeelandwashthevegetables，andkeepthebabyquietwhileIdothewashing。\"
Whimperingsheobeyed，butastokeepingthebabyquiet，thatwasimpossible。Hisfacewashot，littlebeadsofsweatstoodalloverhishead，andhestiffenedhisbodyandcried。Sheheldhimonherknees，withapanofcoldwaterbesideherforthecleanedvegetablesandthe\"ducks’
bucket\"forthepeelings。
\"Ts——ts——ts!\"shecrooned，scrapingandboring；\"there’sgoingtobeanothersoon，andyoucan’tbothkeeponcrying。Whydon’tyougotosleep，baby？Iwould，ifIwereyou。I’lltellyouadream。Onceuponatimetherewasalittlewhiteroad——\"
Sheshookbackherhead，agreatlumpachedinherthroatandthenthetearsrandownherfaceontothevegetables。
\"That’snogood，\"saidtheChild，shakingthemaway。\"JuststopcryinguntilI’vefinishedthis，baby，andI’llwalkyouupanddown。\"
ButbythattimeshehadtopegoutthewashingfortheFrau。Awindhadsprungup。Standingontiptoeintheyard，shealmostfeltshewouldbeblownaway。Therewasabadsmellcomingfromtheducks’coop，whichwashalffullofmanurewater，butawayinthemeadowshesawthegrassblowinglikelittlegreenhairs。Andsherememberedhavingheardofachildwhohadonceplayedforawholedayinjustsuchameadowwithrealsausagesandbeerforherdinner——andnotalittlebitoftiredness。Whohadtoldherthatstory？Shecouldnotremember，andyetitwassoplain。
Thewetclothesflappedinherfaceasshepeggedthem；dancedandjiggedontheline，bulgedoutandtwisted。Shewalkedbacktothehousewithlaggingsteps，lookinglonginglyatthegrassinthemeadow。
\"WhatmustIdonow，please？\"shesaid。
\"Makethebedsandhangthebaby’smattressoutofthewindow，thengetthewagonandtakehimforalittlewalkalongtheroad。Infrontofthehouse，mind——whereIcanseeyou。Don’tstandthere，gaping!ThencomeinwhenIcallyouandhelpmecutupthesalad。\"
WhenshehadmadethebedstheChildstoodandlookedatthem。Gentlyshestrokedthepillowwithherhand，andthen，justforonemoment，letherheadrestthere。Againthesmartinglumpinherthroat，thestupidtearsthatfellandkeptonfallingasshedressedthebabyanddraggedthelittlewagonupanddowntheroad。
Amanpassed，drivingabullockwagon。Heworealong，queerfeatherinhishat，andwhistledashepassed。Twogirlswithbundlesontheirshoulderscamewalkingoutofthevillage——oneworearedhandkerchiefaboutherheadandoneablue。Theywerelaughingandholdingeachotherbythehand。Thenthesunpushedbyaheavyfoldofgreycloudandspreadawarmyellowlightovereverything。
\"Perhaps，\"thoughttheChild—Who—Was—Tired，\"ifIwalkedfarenoughupthisroadImightcometoalittlewhiteone，withtallblacktreesoneitherside——alittleroad——\"
\"Salad，salad!\"criedtheFrau’svoicefromthehouse。
Soonthechildrencamehomefromschool，dinnerwaseaten，theMantooktheFrau’sshareofpuddingaswellashisown，andthethreechildrenseemedtosmearthemselvesalloverwithwhatevertheyate。Thenmoredish—washingandmorecleaningandbaby—minding。Sotheafternoondraggedcoldlythrough。
OldFrauGrathwohlcameinwithafreshpieceofpig’sfleshfortheFrau，andtheChildlistenedtothemgossipingtogether。
\"FrauMandawentonher’journeytoRome’lastnight，andbroughtbackadaughter。Howareyoufeeling？\"
\"Iwassicktwicethismorning，\"saidtheFrau。\"Myinsidesarealltwistedupwithhavingchildrentooquickly。\"
\"Iseeyou’vegotanewhelp，\"commentedoldMotherGrathwohl。
\"Oh，dearLord\"——theFrauloweredhervoice——\"don’tyouknowher？She’sthefree—bornone——daughterofthewaitressattherailwaystation。Theyfoundhermothertryingtosqueezeherheadinthewash—handjug，andthechild’shalfsilly。\"
\"Ts——ts——ts!\"whisperedthe\"free—born\"onetothebaby。