Page:H.M. The Patrioteer.djvu/129

Rh else,"—here the Pastor moved on again—"and He will not allow Himself to be made fun of."

Jadassohn was of that opinion. But, while his companions were arguing heatedly, Diederich saw Guste Daimchen approaching from the Rathaus. He raised his hat to her with formal politeness and she smiled disdainfully. It occurred to him that Käthchen Zillich was just as fair and that she also had that small, impertinently retrousse nose. As a matter of fact, one or the other would do. Guste, it is true, was more broadly built. "And she knows well how to take care of herself. She will slap your face before you know where you are." He turned round to look after Guste. From behind she looked extraordinarily round and she waddled. In that moment Diederich decided: either her or nobody!

The other two had eventually also noticed her. "Was that not the little daughter of Frau Daimchen?" the Pastor asked, adding: "Our Bethlehem Home for fallen girls is still waiting for the gifts of the generous, I wonder if Fräulein Daimchen is generous? People say she has inherited a million."

Jadassohn hastened to declare that this was greatly exaggerated. Diederich contradicted him, saying that he knew the circumstances. The deceased uncle had made much more out of chicory than you would think. He was so positive that the Assessor was forced to promise to have an inquiry made as to the truth by the authorities in Magdeburg. Diederich said no more, for he had achieved his purpose.

"Anyhow," said Jadassohn, "the money will only go to the Bucks, that is to say, to the revolution." But Diederich insisted that he was better informed. "Fräulein Daimchen and I arrived here together," he said, by way of a feeler.—"Oh, I see. May we congratulate you?" returned Jadassohn. Diederich made a deprecating movement of his shoulders. Jadassohn apologised; he had simply imagined that young Buck—