such as you want, and it would take ten years more to become a gentleman;
and she'd like it a great deal better to have something nice now, and not
wait till she is fifty years old."

Dietrich was red with anger.

"What business is it of yours to be forever thinking and talking about
her?" he blazed out. "You have no concern with her whatever; just keep
yourself to what you're fit for."

"Why do go on as you do?" asked Jost with a knowing wink. "Do you suppose
it never enters anybody's head to ask why you keep on working and delving
as if you liked it? Can't we guess who you're doing it all for?"

"And it's not at all out of the way to be thinking about her, either,"
interposed Blasi, "there's another ready enough to do that if there were
any chance for him," and he winked significantly at Jost. Jost took no
notice of the insinuation, but went on, addressing himself to Dietrich.

"There's no danger for you in this plan. We will share losses and gains
alike, and if we do not like it we can leave off when ever we choose. But
I don't see why we shouldn't like it, when we can earn so much with so
little trouble, and without working from morning till night. There goes
somebody now, who has all he wants, I should like to be in his place!"

A wagon was rattling by as he spoke, and its occupant was urging the
galloping horse faster and faster along the road.

"That's the doctor," said Dietrich, looking out; "he has had to work hard
enough and is still at it. He must be going to visit a very sick patient;