The German Classics of the Nineteenth and Twentieth Centuries - novelonlinefull.com
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But why not shoes?
HINZE.
Master Gottlieb, you do not understand the matter; they must lend me some dignity, an imposing air, in short, a certain manliness to which one never attains in shoes.
GOTTLIEB.
Well, as you think best; but the shoemaker will be surprised.
HINZE.
Not at all; we must act only as if it were nothing remarkable that I should wish to wear boots; one gets used to everything.
GOTTLIEB.
Yes, indeed; why, my conversation with you has actually become quite easy! But another thing; now that we have become such good friends, do call me by my first name, too; why do you still want to stand on ceremony with me?
HINZE.
As you like, Gottlieb.
GOTTLIEB.
There's the shoemaker pa.s.sing. Hey! Pst! Friend Leichdorn! Will you please stop a moment?
[_The shoemaker comes in_.]
SHOEMAK.
G.o.d bless you! What's the news?
GOTTLIEB.
I have ordered no work from you for a long time.
SHOEMAK.
No, my friend, all in all, I have very little to do now.
GOTTLIEB.
I should like to have another pair of boots made--
SHOEMAK.
Please take a seat. I have a measure with me.
GOTTLIEB.
Not for myself, but for my young friend there.
SHOEMAK.
For this one here? Very well.
HINZE (_sits on a chair and holds out his right leg_).
SHOEMAK.
Now how should you like it, p.u.s.s.y?
HINZE.
In the first place, good soles, then brown flaps, and, above all things, stiff.
SHOEMAK.
Very well. (_He takes the measure_.) Will you be so kind as to draw your claws in a bit--or rather nails? I have already scratched myself.
(_He takes the measure_.)
HINZE.
And they must be finished quickly. (_As his leg is being stroked he begins to purr involuntarily_.)
SHOEMAK.
The p.u.s.s.y is comfortable.
GOTTLIEB.
Yes, he's a good-humored fellow. He has just come from school, what they usually call a "smarty."
SHOEMAK.
Well, good-bye.
[_Exit_.]
GOTTLIEB.
Wouldn't you perhaps like to have your whiskers trimmed too?
HINZE.
On no account, I look so much more respectable, and you certainly must know that cats immediately become unmanly after that. A tom-cat without whiskers is but a contemptible creature.
GOTTLIEB.
If I only knew what you are planning!
