Eugene does as he is invited, and then asks, "Do you not admire my compliance?"
"You are a good fellow; one can get along with you," answers Scirocco in his abrupt manner.
"Thanks for the acknowledgment," says Rhoeden, not without bitterness. "Sometimes I ask myself whether it would not be better and more sensible for me to pack my trunk."
"Don't see the necessity," growls Scirocco.
"I am really not sure," says Rhoeden; "for between ourselves it is pleasanter to hear Pistasch make fun of my uncle than to hear my uncle rave over Pistasch when the latter has accidentally met him and said: 'Ah! good day, Mr.---- what is your name--Mr. Harfink?'"
"Curious world!" murmurs Scirocco, smiling to himself.
Rhoeden, seeing him in a particularly good temper, makes use of the opportunity to ask him:
"Say, what is the story about Lanzberg?"
Scirocco is silent for a while; looks apparently absently before him, and then suddenly cries brusquely, "What did you ask?"
"Whether you think we will have fine weather to-morrow," replies Rhoeden.