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"Yes, of course I've been playing a comedy! A comedy! That's a good

no half-measures, and it was hard to see what business a gentleman like this couldwould transfer their luggage, which lay in a narrow blue net over a seat, to another

for the most part with loose reins that the driver guided the dripping horse. -- Could

suddenly, against all the usual practice, a larger expedition is considered right, for oneRaban did not answer, shut his umbrella, and the sky closed over him in pallid

for a moment Raban was walking against Lement's outstretched arm.only has to send the maid into the others' apartments, where they are sitting over a

palpitations, then he walked quickly along the park pool, went along a narrow, badly

his father had clean changes of underwear. He had not yet explicitly discussed with hisme today? -- he explained some things to me, didn't he, and described everything as it

"You have no friend in St. Petersburg. You've always been a leg-puller and youbalcony who cut a broad cross in blood on the palm of his hand and held the hand up

impossible for him to take a look outside then, still, he did not mean to abuse anyone

no discussion beforehand either, for all will be expected to get together quite easily if"Yes, that could be done -- but it wouldn't be very nice if I didn't go -- and I'm

between the shafts. Raban rubbed his feet thoroughly on the seat, pulled on clean

stirring, dripped slowly through a crack into the carriage.about eye level, and the many raindrops on the glass were white, often single ones

will appear to me. He came up and spoke to me and then walked with me, in spite ofwith triumphant glee, and stalking away from his father with the closed face of a

there was anyone in the bus he might say so. "Yes, yes, and he would like to start now,you're answering me be you still my living son -- what else was left to me, in my back

had been cleared up, I were to arrive in this station again on my way back, then I

many a windowpane -- all were shut right up to the top -- a hissing arc lamp hung atpassengers would change places, discussing these changes with each other, or they

darkness.haven't even shrunk from pulling my leg. How could you have a friend out there! I

he at once come and asked?

reason one mustn't miss it. But if there is no such sight to be seen, then there will behave here, and he would be getting there soon enough anyway, so that he need not go

85like, and no one with whom I could make more strenuous expeditions, no one there

and really never know for certain where all the others are, for if there is a ruin in the

would move. Raban could hear the noise from the platform even when he had shut thehave offended him even with a single word. I did refuse to spend the evening in town,

can't believe it."fans of puddle water formed, with a rushing sound, behind the turning wheels; it was

tired, yes, I'll go all right. If a telegram came, they'd get a fright, into the bargain. --But then, later, you got on with him very well. I was proud because you listened to himstrutting through the world, finishing off deals that I had prepared for him, bursting

slammed down on the counter the ticket he had been asked for and the change. Nowthe reflection of his stable lantern jumping through the puddles at his feet. Irritably he

slipping off his dressing gown as he stood feebly enough, "it'll soon be three years since

benches leaning against little trees, then went more slowly through an opening in theNow he'll lean forward, thought Georg, what if he topples and smashes himself!

who did not understand that. Apart from that, this place here was a filthy dump, andbooking clerk looked out, said it was really high time, took the bank note, and

Wrapped in the canvas of two sacks that had been cut up, the driver came over,

with the other. The coach that he entered was brightly illuminated by the greatbut your mother has given me so much of her strength that I've established a fine

room, plagued by a disloyal staff, old to the marrow of my bones? And my son


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had something else to do. But now all of a sudden he has gone away, and yet I can't

who could show me how his crops are doing or show me a quarry he is working there.carriage door and sat down on the last little free bit of a light-brown wooden seat. He

but that was only natural, that can't have offended him, for he is a sensible person."

expression! What other comfort was left to a poor old widower? Tell me -- and whilesure! I am still much the stronger of us two. All by myself I might have had to give way,

railings into the street, crossed it, leapt through the station entrance, after a while"Stay where you are, I don't need you! You think you have strength enough to

pipes and cigars, in one place drifting limply past the face of a girl. Often the

they had just been getting on fine when the train came. It would really have beenshould certainly feel much better. If the scenery does turn out to be boring, as Lement

bride-to-be what arrangements should be made for his father in the future, for theysocks. The not particularly clean appearance of his underwear made him reproach

used to tell us the most incredible stories of the Russian Revolution. For instance,

made his knees give.and since he found no guard, he climbed up the steps of the nearest coach by himself,

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the point with stabs of his forefinger. "I've been representing him here on the spot."against such invitations. And yet I don't know whether I shall be able to, for it is not so

"If at least," Raban thought, "I were to get into a wrong train. Then it would atPage

108shouted at in a muffled voice, began to pull, and the water on top of the bus, now set

the fact that there was nothing he wanted to find out from me and that he himself still

bethought himself and pushed his suitcase under his seat.on the seat opposite. It was bright enough, the darkness outside made it appear as

and appealed to the mob. You've told that story yourself once or twice since."The lantern was attached to the end of the shaft; the horse, having been

come over here and that you're only hanging back of your own accord. Don't be too

"Then it's really better for you to go. I was only thinking. . . Anyway I couldn'tback if I want to, for I shall have no one there whom I could pay calls on whenever I

The station clock struck, it was a quarter to six. Raban stopped because he had93

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There Raban looked around, while calling out "Thank you, thank you!" to the porter,each time putting the suitcase on the step above and then following himself,

been wanting to go by the omnibus. Well, so he had at once come and asked, or hadn'town future establishment. It almost looked, on closer inspection, as if the care he

a short thread through the eye of a needle.and nodded and asked him questions. If you think back you're bound to remember. HeThe road was perhaps hilly; there was surely mud flying up into the spokes;

84Raban tried to count his change quickly, thinking he ought to be getting more, but a

His father leaned forward but did not topple. Since Georg did not come any

"You comedian!" Georg could not resist the retort, realized at once the harm"He has pockets even in his shirt!" said Georg to himself, and believed that with

Georg knelt down at once beside his father, in the old man's weary face he sawroom. I could quite well understand your dislike of him, my friend has his peculiarities.

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began an explanation: listen here, he said, he had been playing cards with Lebeda andpeople you know fairly well. Addio. Well, a good journey, and remember me to

"But your friend hasn't been betrayed after all!" cried his father, emphasizing


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nearer, as he had expected, he straightened himself again.

From a little distance Lement then called back: "I say, Eduard, can you hearhimself for having been neglectful. It should have certainly been his duty to see that

"Georg," said his father in a low voice, without moving.

the pupils, overlarge, fixedly looking at him from the corners of the eyes.junior assistant clerk -- had come in and had said he thought a small fair man had

meant to lavish there on his father might come too late.These words went hissing through his mind.

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Meanwhile Georg had succeeded in lowering his father down again andwas no need to think that there were wheels under the floor and in front the horse

would have his attention drawn to this. He would go over and straighten it. Raban also"Adieu." Raban said.

for I don't want to go through the wet park with you, as I should like to drop in at

talking about the price of goods. "They're commercial travelers," Raban thought and,porter who was walking nearby hurried him through a glass door onto the platform.

easy as I imagine it now when I am still alone and can still do everything, can still go

my friend came to see us last. I remember that you used not to like him very much. Atamount of light from the main hall of the station, in which it was standing; in front of

district, there will probably be a walk all together to that ruin; it will have been agreedsprung?"

had both of them silently taken it for granted that the old man would go on livingyou."

any rate seem to me that the whole enterprise had begun, and if later, after the mistake

alone in the old house. But now he made a quick, firm decision to take him into his"That's quite easy, send a telegram."

And what for, where would we go, anyway?"found the booking office, and had to knock for a while on the iron shutter. Then the

upturned faces of people on the seat opposite. In some places smoke was curling from

though the omnibus had black distempered walls and no glass in the windows. Theresocks, and sat up straight. Then he heard someone from the station shouting: "Hi!" if

On his left, at the window, two gentlemen were sitting opposite each other,go with you today, as I'm sleepy, I forgot to tell you that. And now I shall say goodbye,

when he was on a business trip to Kiev and ran into a riot, and saw a priest on a

says, that need not be a disadvantage at all. One will spend more time in the roomseveryone!"

and complain anywhere. Only just now Herr Pirkershofer -- if you please, that's thesaw many people's backs, and the backs of their heads, and between them the

carefully taking off the woolen drawers he wore over his linen underpants and hisdoorpost with his right hand, the left hand held open, close to his mouth.too," Raban answered, leaning out of the door, which he had opened, holding on to the

done and, his eyes starting in his head, bit his tongue back, only too late, till the painletter or books and are delighted by this news. Well, it is not difficult to protect oneself

upon some time before. Then, however, one must look forward to it; for that very

For one isn't at all sure even of acquaintances of long standing. Wasn't Lement nice toconnection with your friend and I have your customers here in my pocket!"

Lement turned to the right and held out his right hand to say goodbye, so thatleast twice I kept you from seeing him, although he was actually sitting with me in my

me? Do shut your umbrella; it stopped raining ages ago. I didn't have a chance to tell

Gillemann's, after all. It's a quarter to six, so not too late, after all, for paying calls onThe rain gushed down the back of his neck, inside his collar.

lighted path between large shrubs, rushed into an open place with many empty


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respectable businessman! Do you think I didn't love you, I, from whom you are

one. If a stick or the metal-covered corner of a suitcase stuck out, then the owner"Just think back a bit, Father," said Georg, lifting his father from the chair and

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supporting himself on his umbrella with one hand, and on the handle of the suitcase

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