We were not to talk of that. I am enduring
no hardships. Since I have lived in this pretty town I
have become a worshiper of the goddess Gemutlichkeit.
Perhaps I shan't find another home as dear to my heart as
this has been, but at least I shan't have to sleep on a
park bench, and any one can tell you that park benches
have long been the favored resting place of genius.
There is Frau Nirlanger beckoning us. Now do stop
scowling, and smile for the lady. I know you will get on
beautifully with the aborigines."
He did get on with them so beautifully that in less
than half an hour they were swapping stories of Germany,
of Austria, of the universities, of student life. Frau
Knapf served a late supper, at which some one led in
singing Auld Lang Syne, although the sounds emanating
from the aborigines' end of the table sounded
suspiciously like Die Wacht am Rhein.
Following that the aborigines rose en masse and roared
out their German university songs, banging their glasses
on the table when they came to the chorus until we all
caught the spirit of it and banged our glasses like
rathskeller veterans. Then the red-faced and amorous
Fritz, he of the absent Lena, announced his intention of
entertaining the company.
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