Three days after this interview, Bräsig came home, and met the Frau Pastorin in the hall. Her right hand was in a bandage, for she had just sprained it, falling down the cellar-stairs.
"Frau Pastorin," said he, with great earnestness and expression, "I shall come down again immediately, and have something to tell you."
With that, he went up-stairs to Habermann. He said neither "Good day" nor anything else, as he entered the room, but, looking very solemn, went through into the bedroom. There he poured out a glass of water, and returned with it to Habermann.
"Here, Karl, drink!"
"What? Why should I drink?"
"Because it is good for you. What you will need afterward, will not hurt you before."
"Bräsig, what ails you?" cried Habermann, pushing away the water; but he noticed that something unusual was coming.
"Well, Karl, if you won't take it, you won't; but collect yourself, collect yourself quickly;" and he walked up and down, while Habermann followed him with his eyes, and turned pale, as he felt that this moment was to influence his destiny.
"Karl," said Bräsig, standing before him, "have you collected yourself?"
He had really done so; he stood up and exclaimed: