Три товарища

           "Hoopla!"saidLenz.Wehadhadfightsforthesamereasonbeforenow.

           Thefellowgotout.Hewasbigandheavyandhadonasoft,browncamel’s-haircoat.Displeased,hetookalonglookatKarl,thenpulledoffapairofthick,yellowglovesandcameforward.

           "Whatdoyoucallit,yourcontraption?"heaskedKöster,whostoodnearest,withafacelikeavinegarbottle.

           Weallthreelookedathimwithoutreplying.EvidentlyhetookusformechanicsinourSundaytogs,outforarunonthequiet.

           "Didyousaysomething?"askedOttofinallyinadubioustone,toteachhimtobemorepolite.

           Thechapflushed."Iaskedaboutthecarthere,"heannouncedabruptlyinthesametoneasbefore.

           Lenzstraightenedhimselfup.Hisgreatnoseflicked.Hewasextraordinarilyparticularaboutpolitenessinothers.Butbeforehecouldopenhismouth,suddenly,asifbyaghostlyhand,theseconddooroftheBuickopened—adaintyfootslidout,aslimleg,akneefollowed—thenoutsteppedagirlandwalkedslowlytowardus.

           Surprised,welookedatoneanother.Wehadnotnoticedbeforethattherewassomebodyelseinthecar.Lenzchanged"hisattitudeimmediately.Hewassmilesalloverhisfreckledface.Weweresuddenlyallsmiling—why,Godonlyknows.

           Thefatchaplookedatusratherdisconcerted.Hebecameunsureofhimselfandevidentlydidnotknow,anymore,whattomakeofthebusiness.