CHAPTER XVII

begandprayforthesmallestconcession—itmakesanhonestmansick." "Shewillnotconsent?" "Shecamebackasobstinateasamule.Itallhadtobegoneintoagainfromthebeginning." "Shewillnotconsent?" "ShesaidLohmwouldlookattheplaceandadviseher." "Abersowas!"criedFrauDellwig,crimsonwithwrath."Adviseher?Didyounottellherthatyouwereheradviser?" "YoumaybesureIdid.Itoldherplainlyenough,Ifancy,thatLohmhadnothingtosayhere,andthatherunclehadalwayslistenedtome.Shesatwithoutspeaking,asshegenerallydoes,notevenlookingatme—Inevercanbesurethatsheisevenlistening." "Andthen?" "Iaskedheratlastifshehadlostconfidenceinme." "Andthen?" "Shesaidohnein,inheraffectedforeignway—inthesortofvoicethatmightjustaswellmeanohja."Andheimitated,withgreatbitterness,Anna'swayofspeakingGerman."Markmywords,Frau,sheisasweakaswaterforallherobstinacy,andthelastpersonwhotalkstohercanalwaysbringherround." "Thenyoumustbethelastperson." "IfitwerenotforthatprigLohm,thatinterferingass,thatincomparablerhinoceros——" "Hewantstomarryher,ofcourse." "Ifhemarriesher——"Dellwigstoppedshort,andstaredgloomilyathismuddyboots. "Ifhemarriesher——"repeatedhiswifebutshetoostoppedshort.Theybothknewwellenoughwhatwouldhappentothemifhemarriedher. Thebuildingofthebrick-kilnhadcometobeapointofhonourwiththeDellwigs.EversinceAnna'sarrival,theirfriendstheneighbouringfarmersandinspectorshadbeencongratulatingthemontheircompleteemancipationfromallmannerofcontrolforofcourseayoungignorantladywouldleavetheadministrationofherestateentirelyinherinspector'shands,confiningheractivities,asbecamealadyofbirth,topayingthebills.Dellwighadnotdoubtedthatthiswouldbeso,andhadboastedloudlyandcontinuallyofthedifferentplanshehadmadeandwasgoingtocarryout.Theestateofwhichhewasnowpracticallymasterwastobecomerenownedintheprovinceforitsenterpriseandtheextent,ineverydirection,ofitsoperations.Thebrick-kilnwasalong-cherishedscheme.Hisoldestfriendandrival,theheadinspectorofaplaceontheothersideofStralsund,hadone,andhadconstantlyurgedhimtohaveonetoobutoldJoachim,withoutillusionsastothequalityoftheclay,andbynomannerofmeanstobetalkedintodisbelievingtheevidenceofhisowneyes,wouldnothearofit,andDellwigfelttherewasnothingtobedoneinthefaceofthatcurtrefusal.Thefriend,triumphinginhisownbrick-kilnandhisownmorepliablemaster,jeered,dughimintheribsattheSundaygatherings,andtalkedofdependence,obedience,andrestrictedpowers.SuchfriendsaredifficulttoendurewithcomposureandDellwig,andstilllesshiswife,formanymonthspasthadhardlybeenabletobeartheword"brick"mentionedintheirpresence.WhenAnnaappearedonthescene,soyoung,soforeign,andsoobviouslyfoolish,Dellwig,certainnowofsuccess,toldhisfriendontheveryfirstSundaynightthatthebrick-kilnwasnowamerematterofweeks.Alwaysaboaster,hecouldnotresistboastingalittletoosoon.Besides,hefe