And convention.
And security, which stales. And custom, which satiates. Oh no, I am not
for matrimony!"

Schilsky's ill-humour evaporated in a peal of boisterous laughter.
"Yes, and tell us why, chaste Joseph, tell us why," he cried, throwing
a brush at his friend. "Or go to the devil--where you're at home."

Krafft warded off the brush. "Look here," he said, "confess. Have you
kissed another girl for months? Have you had a single billet-doux?"

But Schilsky only winked provokingly. Having finished laughing, he said
with emphasis: "But after Lulu, they are all tame. Lulu is Lulu, and
that's the beginning and end of the matter."

"Exactly my opinion," said Furst. "And yet, boys, if I wanted to make
your mouths water, I could." He closed one eye and smacked his lips. "I
know of something--something young and blond ... and dimpled ... and
round, round as a feather-pillow"--he made descriptive movements of the
hand--"with a neck, boys, a neck, I say----" Here in sheer ecstasy, he
stuck fast, and could get no further.

Schilsky roared anew. "He knows of something ... so he does," he
cried--Furst's pronounced tastes were a standing joke among them. "Show
her to us, old man, show her to us! Where are you hiding her? If she's
under eighteen, she'll do--under eighteen, mind you, not a day over.
Come along, I'm on for a spree. Up with you, Joseph!"

He was ready, come forth from the utter confusion around him, like a
god from a cloud. He wore light grey clothes, a loosely knotted, bright
blue tie, with floating ends and conspicuous white spots, and buttoned
boots of brown kid. Hair and handkerchief were strongly scented.

Krafft, having been prevailed on to rise, made no further toilet than
that of dipping his head in a basin of water, which stood on the tail
of the grand piano. His hair emerged a mass of dripping ringlets,
covetously eyed by his companions.

They walked along the streets, Schilsky between the others, whom he
overtopped by head and shoulders: three young rebels out against the
Philistines: three bursting charges of animal spirits.

There was to be a concert that evening at the Conservatorium, and,
through vestibule and entrance-halls, which, for this reason, were
unusually crowded, the young men made a kind of triumphal progress.
Especially Schilsky. Not a girl, young or old, but peddled for a word
or a look from him; and he was only too prodigal of insolently
expressive glances, whispered greetings, a