CHAPTER XXVI

Lookingupfromherbreakfastthemorningafterthefiretoseewhoitwasridingdownthestreet,FrauManskebeheldDellwigcomingtowardshergardengate.Herhusbandwasinhisdressing-gownandslippers,acostumeheaffectedearlyintheday,andtheyweretakingtheircoffeethisfineweatheratatableintheirroomyporch.Therewas,therefore,nopossibilityofhidingthedressing-gown,noryetthefactthathercapwasnotasfreshasacaponwhichthegreatDellwig'seyesweretorest,shouldbe.SheknewthatDellwigwasnotastarofthefirstmagnitudelikeHerrvonLohm,buthewasaverymagnificentspecimenofthoseofthesecondorder,andshethoughthimmuchmoreimposingthanAxel,whosequietwaysshehadneverunderstood.Dellwigsnubbedhersosystematicallyandsobrutallythatshecouldnotbutrespectandadmirehim:shewasoneofthosewomenwhoenjoykissingtherod.Inagreatfluttershehurriedtothegatetoopenitforhim,receivinginreturnneitherthanksnorgreeting."Good-morning,good-morning,"shesaid,bowingrepeatedly."Afinemorning,HerrDellwig." "Where'sKlutz?"heaskedcurtly,neithergettingoffhishorsenortakingoffhishat. "Oh,thepooryoungman,HerrDellwig!"shebeganwithupliftedhands."Hehashadaletterfromhome,andismuchupset.Hisfather——" "Whereishe?" "Hisfather?Inbed,andnotexpectedto——" "Where'sKlutz,Isay—youngKlutz?HerrManske,juststepdownhereaminute—good-morning.Iwanttoseeyourvicar." "Myvicarhashadbadnewsfromhome,andisgone." "Gone?" "Thisverymorning.Poorfellow,hisagedfather——" "Idon'tcareacurseforhisagedfather.Whattrain?" "Thehalf-pastninetrain.Hewentinthepost-cartatseven." Dellwigjerkedhishorseround,andwithoutawordrodeawayinthedirectionofStralsund."I'llcatchhimyet,"hethought,androdeashardashecould. "Whatcanhewantwiththevicar?"wonderedFrauManske. "Aroughmanner,butIdoubtnotagoodheart,"saidherhusband,sighingandhefoldedhisflappingdressing-gownpensivelyabouthislegs. KlutzwasontheplatformwaitingfortheBerlintrai