Page:The Jail, Experiences in 1916.pdf/95

 You cannot write, nor telegraph either, and they won't let any of your messages through unless they contain the truth. The examining superintendent censors everything, the jail provides all your communications with an official stamp.

"But this is terrible", he said interrupting me, "what shall I tell her? She is waiting today, she'll wait tomorrow—"

"Where is she waiting?" asked Hedrich inquisitively.

"In St. Stephen's."

"Not in the temple?" suggested Budi maliciously.

"I am on the editorial staff of the Reichspost and therefore römisch-katholisch, the Reichspost would not take a Jew."

"Take off your overcoat and make yourself at home" Hedrich advised him.

"Hier nur erste zwei Jahr nicht angenehm" (Here only the first two years are not pleasant.) Papa Declich uttered this, his only German eternal truth.

 

Saturday.

Yesterday evening at 9 o'clock I again heard the call of the skylark. Mr. Kretzer also heard it, he attracted the attention of the rest, and the whole room listened. The skylark warbled its brief exultant song a few times and then was silent.

For a while there was an oppressive stillness in the room.

"I should like to have its liberty", began Mr. Fels.

“But not to sit with it on the top of the roof", remarked Mr. Goldenstein. "I would go to a music-hall today. But first of all I would have a good feed."