the year which I would least like to lose out of my life." All of a sudden, with flushed cheeks, he shouted: "And it is such noble memories which these Democrats would like to spoil for us!"
Old Buck! Diederich could not contain his rage as he stammered: "Such a creature would prevent us from serving in the army, saying that we are slaves! Because he once took part in a revolution.…"
"That is all over now," said Jadassohn.
"Are we all to get condemned to death on that account? If they had only chopped his head off! … And the Hohenzollerns, they say, are no use to us!"
"Certainly not to him," said Jadassohn taking a long drink.
"But I declare," continued Diederich rolling his eyes, "that I listened to all his vicious humbug only in order to find out what type of mind he has. I call you as witness, Herr Assessor! If that old schemer ever asserts that I am his friend, and that I approve of his infamous treason to the Emperor, then I will call upon you to witness that I protested this very day."
He broke into perspiration as he thought of the affair with the Building Commission and of the protection which he was to enjoy. … Suddenly he threw onto the table a small book, almost square in shape, and broke into a mocking laugh.
"He goes in for poetry also!"
Jadassohn turned over the pages. "Songs of the Athletes." "In Captivity." "All Hail to the Republic! " "By the lake lay a youth, sad to see" … "Quite so that's what they were. Sentimentalizing about jail birds while rocking the foundations of society. Revolutionary sentimentality, subversive ideas and flabby bearing. Thank God, we are differently constituted."
"Let us hope so, indeed," said Diederich. "Our student life taught us manliness and idealism, that is enough; poetry is superfluous."
