Then, however, Schilsky's mood changed; he struck the table so that the glasses danced. "And shall I tell you what my reward has been for not going? Do you want to know how Lulu has treated me for staying on here? 'You are a quarter of an hour late: where have you been? You've only written two bars since I saw you this morning: what have you been doing? A letter has come in a strange writing: who is it from? You've put on another tie: who have you been to see?' HIMMELSAKRAMENT!" He drained his glass. "I've had the life of a dog, I tell you—of a dog! There's not been a moment in the day when she hasn't spied on me, and followed me, and made me ridiculous. Over every trifle she has got up a fresh scene. She's even gone so far as to come to my room and search my pockets, when she knew I wasn't at home."
"Yes, yes," sneered Krafft. "Exactly! And so, gentlemen he was now for slinking off without a word to her."
"Oh, PFUI!" spat the American.
"Call him a liar!" said a voice.
"Liar?" repeated Schilsky dramatically. "Why liar? I don't deny it. I would have done it gladly if I could—isn't that just what I've been saying? Lulu would have got over it all the quicker alone. And then, why shouldn't I confess it? You're all my friends here." He dropped his voice. "I'm afraid of Lulu, boys. I was afraid she'd get round me, and then my chance was gone. She might have shot me, but she wouldn't have let me go. You never know how a woman of that type'll break out—never!"
"But she didn't!" said Krafft. "You live."
Schilsky understood him.
"Some brute," he cried savagely, "some dirty brute had nothing better to do than to tell her."
"Ha, ha, ha!" laughed the painted boy.
Furst blew his nose. "It wasn't me. I was mum. 'Pon my honour, I was."