After a moment he added: ‘Poor people are not in command of their time. They have to bow to necessity. But I’m going to be finished in a minute. When the spring comes in, you know, the work gets less. The sun, you might say, is bad for the shoemaker. Not that I’m complaining, God forbid. On the contrary, let the poor warm their bones and good luck to them!’ And as he saw Gurdweill standing up and taking his cane: ‘What, going already? No, no, Herr Gurdweill! You must come up with me and join us in a bite of supper. I won’t let you go. You can’t do a thing like that to me!’

‘Thank you very much, Herr Vrubiczek, but I really have to be off.’

The shoemaker stood up and took off his apron. He said with sincere sorrow, ‘No, Herr Gurdweill, I don’t want to press you, but I must tell you that you’re insulting me. My old lady will be very sorry.’

‘No, no, it really is impossible,’ Gurdweill insisted for no good reason. ‘Please give my regards to Frau Vrubiczek and to Johann. I’d like to invite you to my wedding, this coming Thursday, at three o’clock in the afternoon in Seitenstettengasse. Perhaps you’ll be free then.’

‘I doubt it very much. On weekdays I’m never free, as you know. But I wish you well from the bottom of my heart. It’s high time you were married. Give my regards to your intended. Please bring her to visit us one Sunday. If it’s a nice day, we’ll go for an excursion outside the city.’

When Gurdweill left the shop he bumped into Heidelberger, who was about to go into the next doorway. The latter recognised him immediately and called out cheerfully: ‘Good evening, Herr Doktor! How are you? I’m glad to see you! I’ve just this minute come home from work.’

He invited Gurdweill to come up with him. Gustl was a good cook. Before he married her she used to cook for the gentry. They would eat and then go down for a chat over a glass of beer. Gurdweill explained that he was in a hurry, but Heidelberger pleaded with him so energetically to come in, for at least half an hour, that in the end he agreed.

They went up to the third floor, and Heidelberger opened the door with the key he took out of his pocket.

‘Good evening, Gustl!’ he shouted as soon as he crossed the threshold into the dark passage. ‘I’ve brought a visitor. The Herr Doktor has done me the honour! Is supper ready?’