ape from his shoulders as though it were ermine he
were doffing before condescending to associate with ordinary mortals.

Professor Wackerbarth had a wife who beat him and gave him nothing to
eat: he regarded this as a rare opportunity to eat his fill and have a
good time generally. But it was a poor sort of a good time.

One of the long-haired sang the champagne song, and Wurzelmann made a
witty speech. Doederlein suggested that now was the time to let the mice
dance and the fleas hop. When one of the lost-in-dreams sang David's
March, which according to the rules of Bayreuth could not be classed as
real music, Doederlein exclaimed: "Give me Lethe, my fair one." By
"Lethe" he meant punch.

Daniel drank Lethe too. He embraced old Herold, shook hands with Andreas
Doederlein, and tried to waltz with Wurzelmann. He was not drunk; he was
merely happy.

Then it became too close for him in the room. He took his hat, put on
his overcoat, and hurried out.

The air was warm, mild. A south wind was blowing. Heaven above, heaven
below, the houses were standing on clouds. One breath made him thirsty
for the next one. There was a bay-window; it was so beautiful that he
felt like kneeling before it. There was a fountain; it was so snug and
exotic that it seemed like a poem. There were the arches of the bridge;
in them was the dim reflection of the water. There were two towers; they
were as delicate as a spider's web.

He rejoiced and exclaimed: "Oh world, art thou real? Art thou my world,
and am I living in thee? My world, my year, my time, and I in it all, I
myself!"

III

He stood on AEgydius Place, and looked up at the windows in Jordan's
house. They were all dark.

He wanted to call out, but the name that was on his lips filled him with
anxiety. The passionate flutter of his heart almost tore his breast
asunder.

He had to do something; he had to speak; he had to ask questions and
hear a human voice. Consequently, he hurried out to the Fuell, stood
under Benda's window, and called Benda's name. The clocks struck three.

The blinds were soon drawn to one side, and Benda's stoutish figure
appeared at the open window. "Daniel? Is it you? What's up?"

"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!"