"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。
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