Koster was there at work on the Cadillac.
We had bought it dirt cheap at a sale a short time ago.
It had been thoroughly overhauled and Koster was just giving the final touches.
It was a speculation.
We hoped to make some money with it, but I was doubtful about our finding a purchaser.
In bad times people want small cars, not omnibuses like this one.
"I'm afraid well be landed with it, Otto," said I.
But Koster was hopeful.
"It is the medium-sized car one gets left with, Bob," he explained. "There is a market for cheap cars, and for quite expensive ones.
There are still plenty of people with money; or who like to look as if they have it."
"Where is Gottfried? "I asked.
"At some political meeting or other."
"The man's mad.
What does he want there?"
Koster laughed.
"Doesn't know that himself, I imagine.
Got a touch of spring in the blood like as not.
And he must be always haring after some new thing."
"Maybe," said I. "Anything I can do?"
We tinkered around until it was too dark to see.
"I think we'll call that a go," said Koster.
We washed off the grime.
"Guess what I have here," he said, patting a wallet in his pocket.
"No idea."
"Tickets for the fight to-night. Two.
Coming?"
I hesitated.
He looked at me in surprise.
"Stilling is boxing," said he, "against Walker.
Be a good fight."
"Take Gottfried," I suggested, feeling a fool not to be going.
But I had no wish to go, I didn't know why.
"Got something on?"
"No."
He looked at me.
"I think I'll go home," said I. "Letters to write and so on.
One has to sometimes. . . ."
"Not ill, are you?" he asked anxiously.
"Not in the least.
A touch of spring in the blood, too, perhaps."
"All right. As you like."
I strode along home.
Seated once again in my room, I could think of nothing I wanted to do.
I got up and roamed about.
I was completely at a loss to know why I had wanted to come.
Finally I set off down the passage to visit Georg. On the way I ran into Frau Zalewski.
"Gracious me!" she exclaimed, taken aback. "You here?"
"That would be difficult to deny," said I rather irritably.
"Not out!" She wagged her head of grey curls.
"Wonder of wonders!"