“Nothing. I merely wanted to bring you New Year’s greetings.”
“Do you think you are bringing me something good? Go home and go to bed.”
“Ah, let me come in a little while, Friedrich. Let’s chat for a moment or two about happiness!”
“Be reasonable! We might frighten happiness away by our talk.”
“Philistine! Well, give me your blessing at least.”
“You have it. Now go, night owl, and let the people sleep.”
Another window opened on the ground floor. Herr Carovius’s desolate nocturnal physiognomy appeared at the window, looked up, looked down on the disturber of the peace on the street, and with one mighty grim, grinning sound on his lips, his revengeful fist swinging in the meanwhile, the indignant man closed the window with a bang.
Something impelled Daniel to return to Ægydius Place. Again he looked up at the windows, this time beseechingly. The storm within his heart became more violent. For a long time he ran through the streets, and reached home at last along toward five o’clock.
As he passed through the dark hall, he saw a light up on the landing. Meta was carrying it. She was already stirring about, ready to begin her morning’s work. He hesitated; he looked at her; with three steps he was by her side.
“So late?” she whispered with premonitory embarrassment, and began to finger her dress, which she had not yet buttoned up.