“Do you remember what you said to me yesterday, Gustav? You spoke of friendship!”

“I’ve seen what kind of friend you are. Why do I always have to be the stupid nice guy?”

“You don’t believe a word of what you’re saying.”

“But I’m supposed to believe you, is that right? You slick talker, you. Who sent in a false tax declaration, eh? Who bought the building on Kantstraße for a song during the inflation? Was it me? Do you remember how you were the only one to get leave in 1917? And why was that? Because you had purchased war bonds. Something the rest of us couldn’t afford…”

“Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done that if you could have? Are you trying to hold me responsible for the entire system? For the fact that there are social differences? Reproaching me for having money? So that you can justify robbing me? And for a few days of extra leave, for a minor instance of injustice, you want to pull off a major swindle? You’re scolding me for being a capitalist? You? Who want to become one by any means including the slimiest? Don’t be a fool, Gustav. It’s enough that you’ve become a scoundrel.”

“I’m just using my advantage, just as you’ve taken advantage of your situation. That’s all,” Becker said casually.

“There is egoism that is justified and egoism that is not. There are limits!”

“Now you want to tell me what’s justified and what isn’t? Everything you did was well and good, and everything I do is wrong? I’ll say it again: I’m simply taking advantage of my situation!”

“There were times when my situation would have made it easy for me to steal another man’s wallet. But I can honestly say I never did!”

“You were also always a rich man! That a wealthy merchant doesn’t steal a silver spoon is no reason for him to flatter himself.”

“Agreed. But I’m not talking about silver spoons. Don’t try to be clever, Gustav, that’s just too much. You know very well that all my business dealings were absolutely impeccable and that I’ve always acted properly.”

“Meaning I haven’t? More decently than you in any case. At least I haven’t threatened to send you to jail!”

“You couldn’t have. You wouldn’t have had any reason.”

“In 1930 you paid four thousand marks less than you should have in taxes, and in 1926 it was as much as nine thousand marks.”

“In the first place that’s not true, and in the second place everyone does that.”

“Well, taxes were always taken out of my three hundred marks.”

Silbermann lit a cigarette. “You’re being a scoundrel and you know it,” he said, exhausted. “And even if I really had dodged the tax, that by no means justifies your abusing my trust. After all, you’re my friend, and I’ve never been friends with the tax office. And even the most decent person would rather pay too little taxes than too much. Only a criminal, like yourself…”