Are you, then, under the impression that it is in vain one lies for days at the stove with one's eyes tight shut? I always kept studying there quietly. In secret and unobserved does the power of the intelligence grow; hence it is a sign that one has made the least progress when one sometimes has a mind to crane one's neck around as far as possible, so as to look back at the ground one has already covered. Now do be kind enough to untie my napkin.
GOTTLIEB (does it).
A blessing on good food! (They kiss.) Content yourself with that.
HINZE.
I thank you from the bottom of my heart.
GOTTLIEB.
The boots fit very nicely, and you have a charming little foot.
HINZE.
That is only because we always walk on our toes, as you must already have read in your natural history.