The next moment she had the door open and was sitting inside, beaming with pleasure.
"These are seats!
Superb!
Like club armchairs.
A different matter from the Ford!"
"Now, come along," said Puppi ill-humouredly.
Lenz gave me a dig—I should go into action and try to unload the car on the baker.
I looked at Gottfried condescendingly and said nothing.
He prodded me harder.
I prodded him in return and turned my back on him.
With difficulty the baker at last got his black jewel out of the car, and, rather sulky and decidedly annoyed, made off.
We watched the couple go.
"A man of snap decisions," said I. "Repaired car—new wife—hats off!"
"Well," said Koster, "he'll have his joy of her yet."
They had barely turned the corner when Gottfried broke loose.
"Are you quite Godforsaken, Bob, missing an opportunity like that?
Why, that was a textbook example of when to hoe in!"
"Lance-corporal Lenz," I replied, "put your heels together when you speak to a superior officer.
Do you think I'm a bigamist to marry off the car twice?"
It was a great moment to see Gottfried then.
His eyes were like plates.
"Don't jest with holy things," he stammered.
I ignored him altogether and turned to Koster.
"Say farewell, Otto, to our little Cadillac.
She belongs to us no more.
From now on she will lend lustre to the underpants trade.
Let's hope she has a good life there.
Not so heroic as with us, perhaps—but safer."
I pulled out the cheque.
Lenz almost fell to pieces. "No! What?
You mean—paid?" he said in a hoarse whisper.
"How much do you think, then, you beginners?" I asked, waving the cheque to and fro. "Guess."
"Four," shouted Lenz with closed eyes.
"Four five," said Koster.
"Five," shouted Jupp from the pump.
"Five five," I crashed in.
Lenz tore the cheque from my hand.
"Impossible.
Then it won't be covered."
"Herr Lenz," said I with dignity, "that cheque is as sound as you are unsound.
My friend Blumenthal is good for twenty times the amount.
My friend, you understand, with whom I shall be eating stuffed pike to-morrow night.
Let that be an example.
Cement a friendship, get paid in advance, and be invited to supper—that's what's called salesmanship.
Now you can stand easy."
Gottfried gathered himself together with difficulty.
He tried a last shot.
"My advertisement, and the amulet."
I passed him over the medallion.
"Here's your dog license.