Три товарища

           "Binding,"saidheatlastwithaslightbow,asifthisnameatleastweresomethinghecouldbesureof.

           Thegirlhadnowcomeup.Webecamestillmorefriendly.

           "Showthemthecar,Otto,"saidLenz,withaswiftglanceatKöster.

           "Whynot?"repliedOtto,returninghisglancewithanamusedtwinkle.

           "Ishouldlikeverymuchtoseeit,"saidBinding,alreadymoreconciliatory."Mustbedamnedfast.Justwipedmerightoffthemap."theparkingplaceandKösterliftedupKarl’sbonnet.

           Thegirldidnotgo.SlimandsilentshestoodbesideLenzandmeinthetwilight.IexpectedGottfriedtoprofitbytheopportunityandgetbusylikeabomb.Hewasmadeforsuchsituations.Butheseemedtohavelostthefacultyofspeech.Ordinarilyhecouldwoolikeaturkeycock—butnowhejuststoodlikeaCarmelitemonkonleaveanddidnotstir.

           "Youmustforgiveus,"saidIatlast."Wedidnotseeyouwereinthecar.Elseweshouldnothavebehavedsoabsurdlyjustnow."

           Thegirllookedatme."Butwhynot?"sherepliedcalmly,inasurprisinglydeepvoice."Therewasnothingatallbadaboutit."

           "Bad,no;butnotquitefair.Thatcarcandoaroundtwohundredkilometres."

           Sheleanedforwardalittleandputherhandsintothepocketsofhercoat."Twohundredkilometres?"sheasked.

           "Onehundredandeighty-ninepointtwo,tobeexact,officialregister,"answeredLenzlikeapistolshotproudly.