“Yes, Gertrude, but how?”
“I will help you, you and Eleanore. The hearts of you two shall not bleed to death because of me. Let me stay; that is all I ask.”
“That is more easily said than done, Gertrude.” He pressed close up to her, took her in his arms, and sobbed with unexpected violence.
“It is hard; yes, it is hard. But your heart must not be allowed to bleed on my account.”
His head lay on her breast; he was seized with convulsions of grief that would not let him go until break of day.
Then all of a sudden the words came like a scream from Gertrude’s lips: “I too am a creature.”
He embraced her with warmth; and she murmured: “It is hard, Daniel, but be of good cheer, be of good cheer.”
XV
Pflaum, the apothecary, had begun to feel cramped in his house near the Church of the Holy Ghost. He had looked at several houses in the last week or two, and had finally decided on the Schimmelweis property, which was now for sale. The apothecary shop was to remain for the time being at its present location, and Jason Philip was likewise to keep his store and his residence. Herr Pflaum, being the landlord, intended to occupy the first and second floors; he had a large family.