‘I suggest you write us a letter which will authorise us to take the girl away. And also send a cheque for whatever amount you may still be owing . . . if it turns out to be more, I’ll be glad to make it up. And don’t send it to the woman, because she wouldn’t release the child straight away, but will go on tormenting her instead – so write to us. Frau Adriani knows your handwriting. All right?’

An undecided pause. I gave a reference in Berlin.

‘Well, if you think . . . Ah . . . but what will I do with the child then?’

‘I’ve got some business in Switzerland – I can bring Ada to you, and we’ll find somewhere else for her; but she can’t stay here. Really – it’s not on. All right?’

The voice complained, but sounded a little firmer. ‘It’s very nice of you to help me. You don’t know me at all!’

‘But I saw what was happening there . . . It really wasn’t on. So you agree?’

‘Yes. We’ll do just as you say.’ After a few further civilities we rang off. Done it. The other two did a wild dance right round the room. I held the receiver in my hand a moment longer.

‘Thank God . . .’ I said.

‘Will she do it?’ asked the Princess, still a little out of breath.

‘What did she say?’ asked Billie. Now she was slightly more involved; no longer politely sympathetic as she had been in the afternoon. Billie the trooper . . . I reported. Then all three of us danced.

‘Terrific!’ said Lydia. ‘When will her letter arrive? Today’s Tuesday. Wednesday . . . Thursday . . . In three days?’ We all three shouted with happiness. I felt how sweet it is to do good, revenge paid back with interest, and love your neighbour as the hammer loves the anvil. ‘Can I drive the young ladies to the pasture?’

We went to eat.

‘Billie!’ I said, ‘if old Geheimrat Goethe could see you! Watering your wine! “Where did you pick up that revolting habit!” he said to the poet Grillparzer, when he saw him doing that. Or did he say it to someone else? But say it he did.’

‘I hardly drink at all,’ said Billie, and her voice sounded like a silver ring falling into a tumbler.

‘More than Margot?’ asked the Princess.

‘Margot,’ said Billie and laughed. ‘I asked her once what she thought she would do if she ever got drunk. Because she never has yet. She said, I imagine being drunk would be like this – I’d lie under the table, with my hat on crooked, and I’d keep going miaow!’