B00K 0NE: YESTERDAY 31 that mocking, gentle smile of his, when anyone spoke of hon- our, dignity, and so on, irritated Martin. It did not irritate Liselotte. She liked her brother-in-law Jaques. She belonged to the conservative Ranzow family. Her father, who had an impressive title but a poor salary, had made up for the lack of material comforts in his life by high principles and a strict code of behaviour. Liselotte Ranzow, who was then twenty-two, had been glad to exchange the nar- lOW mode of life in her father's house in Stettin for the liberal outlook of the Oppermanns. She had encouraged the taciturn, awkward wooing of yaung Martin by every means in her power. "Shall we wait for Jaques before we have coffee?" she asked, showing the large teeth between her long, well-shaped lips in a slight smile. She saw that Martin was hesitating as to whether he should see Jaques alone or ask her to be present. "Have you got something important to discuss with hirn?" she asked. Martin reflected. He and Liselotte were good comrades. Nat- urally, he would tell her today about the decision to change the name of the two branches. That was not easy. He had, so far, seldom had occasion to mention disagreeable things. Per- haps it would be better to tell her and Jaques at the same time. "1 should be very glad if you would stay," he said. Jaques Lavendel, then, sat between them. The little, deep- set eyes under the broad forehead were keen and kindly. The heavy, reddish-blond moustache emphasized the sparseness of his hair. The gentle, rather hoarse voice got on Martin's nerves, as usual. While Martin explained matters, Jaques listened with his eyes half closed and his hands folded over his waistcoat, his head a little on one side, without any movement in his face or attitude, apparently indifferent. Martin would have preferred him to interrupt and ask questions, but he did not interrupt.

THE OPPERMANNS Even when Martin had finished, he was silent. Liselotte watched Jaques Lavendel excitedly. She was more excited than distressed. Martin, relieved as he was that the matter had not affected her more deeply, thought with bitterness: she is not taking it seriously, she doesn't take my affairs seriously. You wear yourself out and get no thanks for it, Jaques was persistently silent, At length Martin asked: "WeIl, what do you think about it, Jaques?" "Good, good," said Jaques Lavendel and nodded his head several times, "I think it's a good thing, 1 say. The only pity is that you didn't do it long ago. And a still greater pity is that you didn't com- plete the job and take this Wels in with you." "Why?" asked Martin. He was trying to speak calmly. But both Liselotte and Jaques Lavendel noticed his irritation at this suggestion. "Do you believe we have so little time left? I know these people. He would become insolent the moment we consented. YDU know we have nothing to lose by waiting." "Perhaps. And perhaps not," said Jaques Lavendel, shaking his big, reddish-blond head. "I am DO prophet. I don't pretend to be a prophet. But isn't everyone always too late? It rnight last another six months, it might last another year. Who can tell how long it will last? But if things go wrong, it might possibly not last more than another two months." He jerked up his head suddenly, looked at Martin with his little deep-set eyes, winked slyly, and continued in a very matter-of-fact tone: "Grosnowice changed masters seventeen times. Seven times the changes brought pogroms with them. Three times they seized a certain Chayim Leibelsehitz and told hirn: 'Now we are going to hang you.' Everyone said to him, 'Be sensible, Chayim. Leave Grosnowice.' He did not leave. They seized hirn a fourth time and again they did not hang him, But they did shoot him," He had finished speaking, he cocked his head to one side again and closed the lids over his blue eyes.