Page:Buddenbrooks vol 1 - Mann (IA buddenbrooks0001mann).pdf/74

RV 62 (BUDDENBROOKS) old woman who did a tiny trade in worsted dolls; they would ring the bell and, when the old dame appeared, inquire with deceptive courtesy, if Herr and Frau Spittoon were at home&mdash;and then run away screaming with laughter. All these ragamuffinly tricks Tony Buddenbrook was guilty of&mdash;indeed, she seemed to perform them with the best conscience in the world. If one of her victims threatened her, she would step back a pace or two, toss her pretty head, pout with her pretty lip, and say “Pooh!” in a half mocking, half angry tone which meant: “Try it if you like. I am Consul Buddenbrook’s daughter, if you don’t know!”

Thus she went about in the town like a little queen; and like a queen, she was kind or cruel to her subjects, as the whim seized her.

RV 62 (62)