rk, and even threatened to get him an invitation
to a hunting-party. Against this Anton vehemently protested.

Anton on his side rewarded him by the greatest devotion. They were happy
evenings for both when, sitting under the shadow of the condor's wings,
they chatted away and laughed so loud that through the open window the
sound reached old Pluto the watch-dog, who, feeling himself the guardian
of the establishment, and considered by all as a distinguished member of
it, woke up to bay out his hearty sympathy with their enjoyment--ay,
they were happy hours; for their intimacy ripened for the first time in
the life of either into sincere friendship. And yet Anton never left off
watching Fink's bearing to Sabine; although he did not name her to him,
he was always expecting to hear of some important event: a betrothal, or
a quarrel between Fink and the merchant, or something extraordinary. But
nothing of the kind occurred; the solemn daily meals went on, and
Sabine's behavior to both friends was the same as before.

Another year had passed away, the second since our apprentice's arrival,
and again the roses blossomed. One evening Anton bought a large nosegay
of them, and knocked with them at the door of Jordan, who was a great
lover of flowers. He was surprised to find all the clerks assembled, as
they had been on the day of his arrival, and he saw at a glance that
they were embarrassed by his appearance. Jordan hurried to meet him,
and, with a slight degree of confusion, requested that he would leave
them for about an hour, as they were discussing a subject into which he,
as an apprentice, could not enter. It was the first time that these
kind-hearted men had ever allowed him to feel any difference between his
position and theirs, and therefore his banishment slightly depressed
him. He carried back his nosegay, placed it with a resigned air upon his
own table, and took up a book.

Meanwhile a solemn deliberation was going on in Jordan's room. He rose,
struck the table with a ruler, and went on to state that a colleague
having, as they all knew, left the business, a vacancy had occurred,
which Mr. Schroeter himself wished should be filled by Wohlfart; but as
his case would thus be made exceptional--he having been an apprentice
only two years instead of four--the principal kindly referred the
decision to the body of the clerks.

An imposing silence succeeded to these words, which was at length
interrupted by Mr. Pix pro