ions of a room, you see I can cope with any
one--of course, in proportion to my means. However, I have spent a good
deal upon it; and so, though not large, it is thoroughly comfortable."

"Yes," rejoined Anton, "except for a certain class of restless men who
like freedom to move about. You can have no visitors here but those who
are content to sit down the moment they enter."

"To sit quiet is one of the first rules of good society," rejoined
Specht. "Unfortunately, men are often heartless and worthless. Do you
not find, Wohlfart, that in our counting-house there are many very
unfeeling?"

"Often a little blunt," replied Anton, "but kind-hearted at bottom."

"That is not my experience," sighed Specht. "I am now quite alone, and
must seek my comfort out of doors. When I can, I go to the theatre, or
to the circus, or to see a dwarf or a giant if they happen to come
round, and of course I go to the concerts."

"But even there you are solitary."

"Yes; and then it is expensive, and I am not, as you know, very well
off, nor shall I, I fear, ever be much better. I ought to have been
rich," said he, importantly, "but a cousin and trustee of mine brought
me to this, else I should have driven my carriage and four. I dare say I
should not have been at all happier. If only Pix were not so rude! It is
dreadful, Anton, to be daily liable to this. When you were away, I
challenged him," said he, pointing to an old rapier on the wall; "but he
behaved very ill. I told him I was sorry to be obliged to do it, and
offered him a choice of arms and place. He rudely wrote back that he
would fight on the ground floor where he was always stationed, and that
as to arms I might use any I liked, but that his weapon would be his
great brush, with which he was ready to sign his name on both my cheeks.
You will allow that I could not consent to that." Anton allowed it.

"And now he sets all the others against me. My position is unbearable. I
can not be with them without getting insulted. But I know how to revenge
myself. When the pumpkins blow, I will invite all the rest and leave out
Pix. I will serve him as he once did you, Wohlfart, and revenge the
wrongs of each."

"Very good," said Anton. "But suppose that, as I owe some civility to
our colleagues, we unite in giving a party in your room?"

"That is indeed kind of you, Wohlfart," cried Specht, joyously.

"And we will not wait till the pumpkins have grown up; we will bring in
a little