"The catastrophe is not yet certain," observed Henri, "for there are among them many reasonable men."
Mann rose from his seat and cried:--
"The catastrophe is certain. It cannot be otherwise with a clique of proud and degenerated men guided by their passions and not by reason."
"Dear Monsieur Mann, and what of us?" asked Simon. "Are we neither degenerate nor proud? Speak!"
"We are not to be compared with those men. We are worth much more."
"That is true. They are blind, we are only lame. The Jews are peaceable men, suited only for business. When there is disorder in the streets they close their shops."
"My faith! they are sensible to do so."
"Thus said my late papa," murmured Simon. "It is a sacred duty to follow his advice."
"You are always joking."
"And you, the day when you joke I will abstain from it. If no one throws a note of gayety into the conversation, they would say that Heine carried all the Jewish spirit into his tomb. It is a service I render you all. Mann, you do not know the efforts that you cost me."