Три товарища

           "Welldone,Otto,"saidLenztoKöster."There’sonemanwon’tenjoyhissupperthisevening."

           ThechaseswerethereasonwedidnotchangeKarl’sbody.Hehadonlytoshowhimselfontheroadforsomeonetowanttotakeariseoutofhim.Toothercarshewasasalamecrowtoapackofhungrycats.Eventhemostpeace-lovingfamilycoachfeltincitedtopasshim;atthesightofsuchanoldrattletrapdancingnowbefore,nowbehindthem,eventhemoststaidofmiddle-agedbeaverswouldbeseizedwithracing-fever.Forwhowastoknowthatwithinthatridiculousbodypulsedthegreatheartofaracer?

           LenzmaintainedthatKarlhadaneducativeeffect;hetaughtfolkaproperrespectforcreativetalent,thatalwayslurksunderapunprepossessingexterior.Atleast,sosaidLenz—whoalsosaidofhimselfthathewasthelastoftheromantics.

           Wepulledupinfrontofalittleinnandgotoutofthecar.Theeveningwasbeautifulandcalm.Thetroughsofthefurrowsinthenew-ploughedfieldsglowedpurple;theridgeswerebrownandburninggold.Greatclouds,likeflamingoes,floatedintheapple-greensky,andslenderinthemidstofthemlaythesickleofthewaxingmoon.Distressfullybarestill,yetfullofthepromiseofbud,ahazelboughheldtheeveninganddreaminitsarms.Fromtheinnissuedasmelloffryingliver.Onions,too.Ourheartsswelled.

           Lenzfollowedthesmellindoors.Satisfied,hecameback.

           "Yououghttoseethechips!Thebestwillbegoneifyou’renotquick."

           Atthatmomentacarcamehummingalong.Welooked.

           ItwastheBuick.WithasharpjoltitstoppedbesideKarl.