Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/127

 "Doctor, we will not hinder this estimable official in his activity. He has in truth a great deal of important work to do."

My friend had to wait a moment until I had gone—obviously in order that we might not communicate with each other outside,—the devil trust such a poet!

The defence-corps men had me back and handed me over to the superintendent. When I was back again in number 60, my eyes hurt me from the unaccustomed light in the street.

And again the minutes and hours dragged on, each one had leaden soles, none was in haste.

I began to read Julius Caesar and remembered his commentaries on the Gallic war. Gallia omnis divisa est in partes tres. Napoleon held on to them. What a difference too, between them and the "Germania" of Tacitus. Caesar is like an unconcerned and self-assured mathematician, his reader has a feeling of security and believes, but not in the case of Tacitus. And see the elegant style of which this Napoleon III. was a master. And the knowledge he had. An Emperor.

The room resounded with footsteps, otherwise everybody was still in the grip of Monday's repulsive humour. It was quiet. If somebody made a joke, it was unbecoming and out of place,—nobody even smiled.

At the afternoon exercise I walked with the engineer. He wished that he had a few pounds of dynamite.

After exercise, Mr. Fels again sat down beside me. Did I really think that they, the censorists, would be granted written communication with their families, and would they be allowed to receive visitors. Otherwise, his mind was already at rest. And when we left here, would I do him the pleasure of dining with him and his