Три товарища

           "Doubtless,"Iagreedandcursedusboth.

           KösterandBindingcameback.InthefewminutesBindinghadbecomeadifferentman.Hewasbeaming,apparentlyinaseventhheaventohavefoundinKösteranexpert.Heaskedifwewoulddinewiththem.

           "Ofcourse,"repliedLenz.

           Wewentin.AsweenteredthedoorLenzwinkedatmeandnoddedinthedirectionofthegirl."Shecancelsouttenofyourdancingoldwitches,ofthismorning."

           Igaveashrug."Maybe—butinthatcasewhydidyouleavemestutteringtherelikeafool?"

           Helaughed."Youmustlearntoswimforyourselfsometime,baby."

           "I’venowishtolearnanythinganymore,"saidI.Wefollowedtheothers.Theywerealreadyseatedatthetable.Thehostessarrivedimmediatelywiththeliverandchippedpotatoes.Shebroughtaswellalargebottleofryewhiskyasanintroduction.

           Bindingprovedtobeaperfecttorrentofatalker.Itwasamazingallthethingshefoundtosayaboutmotorcars.WhenhelearnedthatOttohadactuallydoneracing,hisgoodwillknewnorestraintanymore.

           Ilookedathimmoreclosely.Hewasabig,heavyfellowwithbushyeyebrowsabovearuddyface;abitgiventoboasting,abitnoisy,andapparentlygood-humoured,likefolkwhohavebeensuccessfulinlife.Icouldpicturehimbeforegoingtobedatnight,solemnly,appreciatively,approvinglycontemplatinghimselfinthemirror.