\"Wasshethegreatestsingeryoueverheard？\"
Wunschnoddedgravely。\"Quiteso。Shewasthemost——\"hehuntedforanEnglishword，liftedhishandoverhisheadandsnappedhisfingersnoiselesslyintheair，enunciatingfiercely，\"KUNST—LER—ISCH！\"Thewordseemedtoglitterinhisupliftedhand，hisvoicewassofullofemotion。
Wunschrosefromthestoolandbegantobuttonhiswaddedjacket，preparingtoreturntohishalf—heatedroomintheloft。Thearegretfullyputonhercloakandhoodandsetoutforhome。
WhenWunschlookedforhisscorelatethatafternoon，hefoundthatTheahadnotforgottentotakeitwithher。
Hesmiledhisloose，sarcasticsmile，andthoughtfullyrubbedhisstubblychinwithhisredfingers。WhenFritzcamehomeintheearlybluetwilightthesnowwasflyingfaster，Mrs。KohlerwascookingHASENPFEFFERinthekitchen，andtheprofessorwasseatedatthepiano，playingtheGluck，whichheknewbyheart。OldFritztookoffhisshoesquietlybehindthestoveandlaydownontheloungebeforehismasterpiece，wherethefirelightwasplayingoverthewallsofMoscow。Helistened，whiletheroomgrewdarkerandthewindowsduller。Wunschalwayscamebacktothesamething：——