Три товарища

           ThegirlwasseatedbetweenLenzandme.ShehadtakenoffhercoatandbeneathitworeagreyEnglishcostume.

           Aboutherneckwastiedawhitescarfthatlookedlikeastock.Herhairwasbrownandsilkyandinthelamplighthadanambersheen.Hershoulderswereverystraightbutinclinedalittleforward,herhandswereslender,abitlong,andbonyratherthansoft.Herfacewasnarrowandpale,butthelargeeyesgaveitanalmostpassionatestrength.Shelookedverygood,Idecided—butIthoughtnomoreaboutit.

           Lenzontheotherhandwasallfireandflame.Hewascompletelychangedfromwhathehadbeenjustnow.Hisyellowheadofhairshonelikethehoodofahoopoe.HeletoffawholefireworkofwisecracksandincompanywithBindingruledthetable.Ijusthadtositbyandcoulddolittletomakemyselfnoticedeven—atmost,passaplateonceoroffercigarettes.AndtouchglasseswithBinding.Ididthatfairlyoften.

           Lenzsuddenlyclappedhishandtohisforehead:"Therum!Bob,goandfetchourbirthdayrum."

           "Birthday?Isitsomeone’sbirthday?"askedthegirl.

           "Yes,mine,"saidI."I’vebeenplaguedwithitallday."

           "Plagued?Thenyouwon’tbewantingmycongratulations,Isuppose?"

           "Oh,yes,"saidI;"congratulationsisanothermatter."

           "Fine;thenallthebest."

           ForamomentIheldherhandinmineandfeltherwarm,drypressure.