Ulwing waved his hand disparagingly.
“Whatever honours I received from the Town Hall count for little. They have laden me with them for their weight to hamper my movements, so that I may let them sleep in peace.”
“And steal in peace,” said Füger, making an ironical circular movement with his hand towards his pocket.
“Let them be,” growled the builder, “there is many an honest man among them.”
The book-keeper stretched his neck as if he were listening intently, then bowed solemnly and left the room.
Christopher Ulwing, left alone with his son, turned sharply to him.
“What else did you say in the Town Hall?”
“But you gave me no other instructions...?”
“Surely you must have said something more? Something of your own?”
There was silence.