what it contained. I was entirely absorbed in stories of my own which
floated in singular visions across my mental eye. The blood flew to my
head, and I roared with laughter.

At this moment the little man seemed about to go. He stretched himself,
and in order not to break off too abruptly, added: "He is said to own much
property, this Happolati?"

How dared this bleary-eyed, disgusting old man toss about the rare name I
had invented as if it were a common name stuck up over every huckster-shop
in the town? He never stumbled over a letter or forgot a syllable. The
name had bitten fast in his brain and struck root on the instant. I got
annoyed; an inward exasperation surged up in me against this creature whom
nothing had the power to disturb and nothing render suspicious.

I therefore replied shortly, "I know nothing about that! I know absolutely
nothing whatever about that! Let me inform you once for all that his name
is Johann Arendt Happolati, if you go by his own initials."

"Johannn Arendt Happolati!" repeated the man, a little astonished at my
vehemence; and with that he grew silent.

"You should see his wife!" I said, beside myself. "A fatter creature ...
Eh? what? Perhaps you don't even believe she is really fat?"

Well, indeed he did not see his way to deny that such a man might perhaps
have a rather stout wife. The old fellow answered quite gently and meekly
to each of my assertions, and sought for words as if he feared to offend
and perhaps make me furious.