‘Are you sure, my dear — you’ll allow me this intimacy, I trust? After all, we’re going to be great friends soon; I feel it in my bones. Actually, I’m not nervous at all. Not in the very least! Smoking gives me pleasure, and I see no reason to deprive myself of any source of pleasure whatsoever … But people with weak nerves should abstain; there I agree with you.’

Lotte shot her an annihilating glance and did not reply.

Dr Astel suggested going to a wine cellar. Perczik immediately stood up and began taking his leave, saying that it was getting late, to his regret, and his wife was waiting for him at home …

‘Have you got enough money on you?’ asked Gurdweill frankly. ‘Because I myself am clean out of cash today.’

‘Leave that to me!’ said Dr Astel. ‘Everything will be all right. Luckily for us, we don’t have to count our pennies … Which reminds me of a story about my friend Bloch …’

And he sat back and began in a calm, deliberate voice to tell his story.