Heinrich shook his shoulders. "I can't tell to-day, but however the thing develops, I certainly cannot leave my mother and sisters alone now."
George felt a genuine regret at being deprived of Heinrich's society in the near future. "It's possible that you won't find me in Vienna again when you come back. I shall probably go away this spring, you see." And he almost felt a desire to take Heinrich into his confidence.
"I suppose you are travelling south?" asked Heinrich.
"Yes, I think so. To enjoy my freedom once again, just for a few months. Serious life begins next autumn, you see. I am looking out for a position in Germany at some theatre or other."
"Really?"
The waiter came to the table. They paid and went.
They met Rapp and Gleissner together in the doorway. They exchanged a few words of greeting.
"And what have you been doing all this time, Herr Rapp?" asked George courteously.
Rapp took off his pince-nez. "Oh, my melancholy old job all the time. I am engaged in demonstrating the vanity of vanities."
"You might make a change, Rapp," said Heinrich. "Try your luck for once and praise the splendour of splendours."