‘And I don’t need to. I’ll speak with the Matron this very day and I’ll move my things to the Nurses’ Home this evening.’

‘Sophie,’ cried the mother, ‘don’t do that, please don’t! Father will never allow it. You’re our daughter and we’re a family and we should cling together.’

‘Yes, so as to quarrel,’ said Eva. ‘Sophie’s quite right, she should get away. And I’ll go as soon as I can. Everyone must look after himself, and all that stuff about family and parents and love is only nonsense.’

‘But, Evchen, we do love one another.’

‘We don’t,’ said Eva. ‘We can’t stand one another.’

‘I won’t listen any longer,’ said Sophie. ‘Talking like that just shows your lack of faith – both you and Erich. And you only want to go away because you don’t want any restrictions. I’ve seen it coming for a long time without having to meet you arm-in-arm with men. It’s shameful. I knew it when you used to go to the fairground. When you were only thirteen years old you let boys pay for you on the roundabouts.’

‘You’re jealous because nobody ever looks at you, Sophie.’

‘And you weren’t at all ashamed when the wind blew up your skirts so that people could even see the lace on your knickers.’

‘Splendid!’

‘Oh, children, do help!’ wailed the mother. ‘Just listen. I believe Father’s killing Erich …’

§ VIII

‘Governor overslept?’ asked old Rabause, the head stableman, sitting on the feed chest and kicking his clogs against the sides. ‘Time’s getting on.’

When Otto entered twenty horses had turned their heads, neighing expectantly. But they knew he was not their master, the one who brought food, and they turned their disappointed heads away. Only the grey pawed the ground with more determination than ever.

‘He’s coming presently,’ replied Otto, sitting down beside Rabause. ‘He’s been up a long time.’

‘Then why hasn’t he fed the grey?’ wondered the head stableman. ‘He never misses.’ He laughed. ‘The Governor thinks I don’t notice.’

‘It’s nothing to do with us, Rabause. It’s Father’s horses and Father’s corn – he can do what he likes with them.’

‘Did I deny it, Ottchen? I only said he feeds them on the quiet and that’s true. The boss has his favourites however much he pretends to treat everyone according to merit.’

‘I know nothing about that,’ said Otto distantly. ‘I do what Father wants.’

‘Just what I say, Ottchen,’ grinned the old man. ‘But for all that you’re not his favourite either.’

For a while they were silent. Then Rabause cleared his throat. ‘Well, Otto, have you carved my pipe bowl yet?’

‘I haven’t had time. You know I have to be so careful, and not let Father see.’

‘Make a good job of it,’ begged Rabause. ‘I want it like my Ajax. You know – a blaze down one side of his muzzle.’

‘I’ll do it, as soon as I have time.’

‘You see, Otto – you’ve once again forgotten to remind me that I should use the formal “you” when talking with you.