Silbermann was taking a walk with his family through the Tiergarten. He would have preferred to go to Potsdam and visit the park and palace at Sanssouci again, but Eduard had wanted to go rowing on the Neuer See and had persuaded his father to change plans.

Because of that, and because now he’d even gotten his father to agree to go to the circus, Eduard was in a fantastic mood, and Silbermann was also happy to have stayed in Berlin, since he had set up some important meetings for Monday and wanted to get to bed early.

The weather was very good, and they were discussing the trip they planned to take in the summer.

“Eduard needs another new suit,” said Elfriede, looking in his direction.

“When I was a boy,” Silbermann said, “I took better care of my things.” Then he turned to his son. “By the way, have you done your homework, Eduard?”

“Right,” said Eduard, looking away.

“Right isn’t an answer,” said Silbermann. “Don’t forget to show it to me tonight.”

After a moment’s silence Eduard spoke up. “I didn’t completely understand the math assignment.”

“That really is the limit.” Silbermann was indignant. “And you dare go out walking in the park? And tonight you want to go to the circus? Honestly? Until you’ve solved all your math problems, don’t even think about going with us to the circus.”

“But he spends so much time on his schoolwork.” Elfriede tried to mediate.

The doorbell rang. Silbermann gave a start.

“Eduard really ought to…” he said, in a daze. Then he looked around. He was lying in his bedroom, but he was all alone.

“So,” he said, and closed his eyes again.

The doorbell rang again. Slowly he climbed out of bed, slid into his slippers, and went to the door, rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

They certainly don’t waste any time, he thought, assuming the police had come to take him away. He opened the door.

“I’m here to collect for the milk,” said a female voice.

Silbermann studied the woman.

“So,” he said slowly. “You’re here to collect for the milk.”

“That’s right,” the woman answered. “I’ve already been by four or five times. But no one answered. Today I made a special point of coming to the front door, since I thought the doorbell in back might not be working.” She was eyeing him as though he’d committed some evil deed directed against her.

“It comes to nine marks seventy-five,” she said firmly, and handed him the bill.

“Please wait,” he said.

He went to his bedroom to fetch the money.

“Shall I keep delivering?” asked the milk lady, when he was back. “Because I see the bottles are still just sitting out by the back door. It’s been three days since I…”