Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/122

 Mr. Simon Lamm undressed: "Well, if they come and fetch me, I shall be dressed in five minutes."

The room roared with laughter.

 

Monday evening. Monday has always been a repulsive day to me, and it seemed as if it became still more repulsive to me in jail.

And it was as if the whole of number 60 agreed with this view of mine; in the morning they got up grumpy and cursing,—only Messrs. Fels and Goldenstein announced that they had at last been able to sleep. The artillery-man did not even want to dress. Hedrich yawned till his eyes flowed with tears, Budi frowned,—in fact nowhere was there a pleasant glance and a contented word. Our arrival of yesterday, Mr. Simon Lamm, again donned his waterproof overcoat, put on his hat and waited. He did not even want to go out for exercise so as not to miss the messenger of freedom. He then went after all when the sergeant had assured him that he would be called even from the yard; but during exercise he kept turning his head to the door where the defence-corps man stood with a bayonet.

When we returned, he took Hedrich aside,—our barber's good-natured blue eyes had probably inspired Mr. Lamm with confidence—and he asked him who I was. For I had a special bed, a blue blanket, and the inmates of the room held me in some esteem. The worthy Hedrich who was fond of hoaxing people,—but he did it in such a good-natured and pleasant manner that nobody could be angry with him,—informed him in a whisper that I was a worse than a two-fold murderer, whereupon Mr. Lamm nodded and declared that he had immediately noticed me, and was sure that