Gurdweill very much regretted his lack of cash. Otherwise he might have been able to get rid of this pest by offering him a loan. As it was, Freddy had enough for his own tram fare and was ready to accompany him wherever he went. There was no way to get rid of him. In vain Gurdweill deliberately walked in the heat of the sun, hoping that his companion would get tired and go home. But the heat made no impression on Freddy. With his long legs he easily kept pace with Gurdweill, who was not much more than half his size, and never said a word. Gurdweill himself began to feel the heat and wiped his sweating forehead with a handkerchief. He resigned himself to his fate, and crossed to the shade, accompanied by his brother-in-law. The newspaper vendors advertised Der Tag, Die Zeit, Der Abend, etc. Their voices grated on the nerves and increased the torment of the heat wave. ‘What a despicable way to earn a living — selling newspapers!’ reflected Gurdweill rather incoherently as he stepped onto the tram. Freddy maintained his silence throughout the journey. He waited outside when Gurdweill went into the furniture shop. The negotiations took about twenty minutes; Gurdweill prolonged them on purpose. He wanted a fine carriage for his son — the finest carriage they had. In the end he chose the one that seemed to him the best in the shop, unaware of the fact that it was exactly the same as Dr Ostwald’s carriage at home, except for the colour, which was navy blue instead of black. He tried to lift it and found that it was as light as a feather, not like the other one, which was as heavy as a truck, so heavy you couldn’t move it an inch … He agreed to pay an extra ten schillings and to bring the other carriage with the money the next day at half past five, when he would tell them where to send the new one — which would enable him to have it sent directly to his parents-in-law, and save himself unnecessary trouble. With the deal closed to the satisfaction of both parties, Gurdweill left the shop in a joyful mood. In an instant all his doubts about his fatherhood seemed to have been dispelled — as if it had now been verified and confirmed by incontrovertible proof. Everything was now his: the baby, the carriage, Thea — there was no doubt about it! He was radiant with happiness. In the meantime he had forgotten all about his brother-in-law. But Freddy was still waiting. Leaning against a lamppost, he was standing diagonally opposite, keeping watch on the door like a private detective. His company no longer bothered Gurdweill. On the contrary, from a certain point of view he was even pleased to have him there, as a witness to the proof of his paternity … He went straight up to him.