The Torrents of Spring | Page 9

loftiness, moved his legs with such an agreeable air, and
drew his heels together with such polished courtesy that no one could
fail to feel, 'that man has both linen and moral principles of the first
quality!' The finish of his bare right hand--(the left, in a suede glove,
held a hat shining like a looking-glass, with the right glove placed
within it)--the finish of the right hand, proffered modestly but
resolutely to Sanin, surpassed all belief; each finger-nail was a
perfection in its own way! Then he proceeded to explain in the choicest
German that he was anxious to express his respect and his indebtedness
to the foreign gentleman who had performed so signal a service to his
future kinsman, the brother of his betrothed; as he spoke, he waved his
left hand with the hat in it in the direction of Emil, who seemed bashful
and turning away to the window, put his finger in his mouth. Herr
Klüber added that he should esteem himself happy should he be able in
return to do anything for the foreign gentleman. Sanin, with some
difficulty, replied, also in German, that he was delighted ... that the
service was not worth speaking of ... and he begged his guests to sit
down. Herr Klüber thanked him, and lifting his coat-tails, sat down on
a chair; but he perched there so lightly and with such a transitory air
that no one could fail to realise, 'this man is sitting down from

politeness, and will fly up again in an instant.' And he did in fact fly up
again quickly, and advancing with two discreet little dance-steps, he
announced that to his regret he was unable to stay any longer, as he had
to hasten to his shop--business before everything! but as the next day
was Sunday, he had, with the consent of Frau Lenore and Fräulein
Gemma, arranged a holiday excursion to Soden, to which he had the
honour of inviting the foreign gentleman, and he cherished the hope
that he would not refuse to grace the party with his presence. Sanin did
not refuse so to grace it; and Herr Klüber repeating once more his
complimentary sentiments, took leave, his pea-green trousers making a
spot of cheerful colour, and his brand-new boots squeaking cheerfully
as he moved.

IX
Emil, who had continued to stand with his face to the window, even
after Sanin's invitation to him to sit down, turned round directly his
future kinsman had gone out, and with a childish pout and blush, asked
Sanin if he might remain a little while with him. 'I am much better
to-day,' he added, 'but the doctor has forbidden me to do any work.'
'Stay by all means! You won't be in the least in my way,' Sanin cried at
once. Like every true Russian he was glad to clutch at any excuse that
saved him from the necessity of doing anything himself.
Emil thanked him, and in a very short time he was completely at home
with him and with his room; he looked at all his things, asked him
about almost every one of them, where he had bought it, and what was
its value. He helped him to shave, observing that it was a mistake not to
let his moustache grow; and finally told him a number of details about
his mother, his sister, Pantaleone, the poodle Tartaglia, and all their
daily life. Every semblance of timidity vanished in Emil; he suddenly
felt extraordinarily attracted to Sanin--not at all because he had saved
his life the day before, but because he was such a nice person! He lost
no time in confiding all his secrets to Sanin. He expatiated with special
warmth on the fact that his mother was set on making him a shopkeeper,

while he knew, knew for certain, that he was born an artist, a musician,
a singer; that Pantaleone even encouraged him, but that Herr Klüber
supported mamma, over whom he had great influence; that the very
idea of his being a shopkeeper really originated with Herr Klüber, who
considered that nothing in the world could compare with trade! To
measure out cloth--and cheat the public, extorting from it 'Narren--oder
Russen Preise' (fools'--or Russian prices)--that was his ideal! [Footnote:
In former days--and very likely it is not different now--when, from
May onwards, a great number of Russians visited Frankfort, prices rose
in all the shops, and were called 'Russians',' or, alas! 'fools' prices.']
'Come! now you must come and see us!' he cried, directly Sanin had
finished his toilet and written his letter to Berlin.
'It's early yet,' observed Sanin.
'That's no matter,' replied Emil caressingly. 'Come along! We'll go to
the post--and from there to our place. Gemma will be so glad to see you!