He had it in mind to take a short stroll along the Hauptallee. To this end he had to turn left when he came out of the gate, in the direction of Nordbahnstrasse, but his feet bore him to the right instead, and by the time he realised what was happening he was already at the corner of Kleine Stadtgutgasse and Heinestrasse. ‘In that case,’ he said to himself, ‘I might as well go this way and see what’s going on in Praterstrasse.’ He therefore crossed the road, and continued along it until turning into Novaragasse, which ended in Praterstrasse. When he reached the end of the street he suddenly saw Thea at a distance of five paces, parting from a man he did not know. Gurdweill stood as if turned to stone. He wanted to run, so that Thea would not see him, but his feet refused to obey him, as in a nightmare. The strange man kissed her hand, and Gurdweill heard him say, ‘Until tomorrow, then!’ before jumping onto a passing tram. Thea turned towards Novaragasse and saw her husband. She walked straight up to him. Her anger was already full blown, as if she kept it inside her, ready and waiting to be whipped out the moment the opportunity presented itself.

‘Wha-at?! You dare to spy on me? Wait for me!’

Gurdweill did not move.

‘Come on!’ She reached him and pulled him hard. ‘You’re coming home with me.’

Gurdweill silently obeyed, and went with her as if he were under arrest. As they approached the house he recovered and mumbled, ‘But all I wanted was to go for a little walk. It was pure coincidence … I don’t want to go home yet …’

Thea said nothing and Gurdweill went upstairs with her. They entered the room.

‘Light the lamp,’ ordered Thea.

‘Take that!’ she cried, and slapped him on the cheek with all her strength the moment the lamp was lit.

‘What, are you mad?’ Gurdweill blurted out, bending down to pick his hat up from the floor.

‘And if you ever dare to spy on me again — I’ll kick you out of the house like a dog! Like a dog, do you hear? It’s none of your business where I go or whom I meet. And just for your information, if it’s of any interest to you, I go to bed with as many men as I like — as many as I like! Including all your friends!’