Suddenly Gurdweill spoke, and they all turned to look at him in astonishment, as if some mute creature had suddenly opened its mouth. Without lifting his head he said, as if it were all perfectly obvious: ‘The little things aren’t important, of course; that’s what I’ve always said … not important at all. But still, they’re necessary … necessary for … for … the main thing! That’s it! But what if the main thing itself is missing — what then, eh?’ He raised his head enquiringly. ‘What happens if the main thing itself is missing? Pour me a bit of wine, Doktor! Hee-hee …’

He took a gulp of wine and continued. ‘Take, for example, a baby. A baby is something concrete, it exists, that’s obvious … And if a person’s got a baby, he buys it a toy … A teddy bear, a little car, a r-radish, yes, why not, a black radish too, hee-hee … Babies like radishes too! To play with, of course, only to play with … But if there’s no baby, can I eat the radish myself? And what if I don’t like radishes? If I don’t like them at all? What then, eh? Dr Kreindel always says: “Instead of little people standing up, big people should sit down, in the words of Schiller … hee-hee.” He likes quoting, Dr Kreindel! And Thea knows it too.’

‘What on earth are you talking about, rabbit?’ Thea laughed. ‘Come, let me give you a kiss! You’re really cute today.’

She inclined her long body sideways to kiss him. But Gurdweill leaned backward, as if to evade a blow.

‘Not that!’ he said. ‘Not that! This isn’t the time for that sort of thing … Right, Doktor? You’re my friend, I know, even if you are a little sly and crooked like all the lawyers … and even a little stupid — don’t deny it! It’s the truth!’ Gurdweill cut the air with his hand for emphasis. ‘But I like you anyway! I definitely like you!’ And he smiled complacently.

Dr Astel laughed. ‘My dear Gurdweill,’ he said, ‘you’re very generous with your compliments!’

‘Don’t mention it,’ said Gurdweill, ‘it’s nothing at all!’

And he stood up, stepped round the back of Lotte’s chair, and stationed himself on the other side.

‘Lotte,’ he said, ‘you’re a pure soul. Let’s drink a toast together, you and I.’

He took somebody’s glass from the table and clinked it against hers. Lotte looked at him pityingly.

‘Come on, Lotte, drink up!’ urged Gurdweill. ‘Don’t you want to drink with me? You wouldn’t insult me, would you?’

Lotte took a little sip of wine. Thea put her arm around Dr Astel’s neck and whispered something in his ear. ‘Later,’ he said audibly, ‘later!’