In the street he looked at his watch in the light of the lamp. For a moment he wondered what to do next. He could easily spend the night, and even several nights, at Dr Astel’s place, or Ulrich’s, but he quickly dismissed this possibility. How would he explain it to them? He could scarcely tell them the truth, that Thea had thrown him out of the house! As this thought came into his mind, he felt a sudden desire to laugh. His agitation had now died down, and for some reason the whole thing seemed ridiculous in the extreme. At any rate, he thought, he had to find somewhere to sleep tonight, and tomorrow he would see.

All he had in his pocket was one schilling, and for even the cheapest hotel he would need at least three. To save the tram fare, he began walking quickly towards the city centre, hoping to find someone willing to lend him a few schillings in the café. Gurdweill was surprised at himself for not being more upset by what had happened. All he felt was a kind of annoyance at the situation in which he now found himself. His heart told him that there was no need to take it too seriously. Her anger would subside and everything would blow over. He could not believe that this was the end, and the important thing now was to borrow some money and find lodging for the night. To a certain extent, he was even pleased at this way out. Better to be thrown out of the house than remain there, a prey to her wrath.

It was not cold. A fine, warm rain began to fall, spraying its drops in his face; the asphalt grew blacker and glittered wetly. Almost empty, the trams rolled past; every now and then an electric cable suddenly flared up overhead in a pale-blue ribbon of fire, making a crackling sound like the snapping of a dry straw, and died down again. All at once Gurdweill was flooded by a torrent of rage so violent that it made him stop dead in his tracks. The room was his as much as it was hers, even more! He had lived there before she did — and now she was throwing him out! He felt an urge to run back and force his way in. She had no right to throw him out of his room! But a moment later he recovered his composure and set off again in the same direction as before. There was really no point in making a scene in public!