Arrived at Anton's lodging, he began of his own accord: "It has been a weight on my heart--I have not been able to sleep--I have not been able to eat or drink; and whenever I ran here or there on business, it has lain on my soul just as a stone does in a glass--when one tries to drink, the stone falls against the teeth, and the water spills.

Alas! what have I not spilled!" "Go on," said Anton, again mollified by the candid confession.
"I came here on account of the wagons," continued Tinkeles, looking timidly at Anton.

"Mausche has dealt with your firm for ten years, and always uprightly, and you have made a good sum of money out of him, and so he thought that the time was come when he might do a business of his own, and settle his account with you.

And when the uproar began, he came to me and said, 'Schmeie,' said he, 'you are not afraid,' said he.

'Let them shoot away, and go you among them and see that you keep the wagons for me.