“Her customers stepped out into the corridor to her; and only rarely, when bidden, did she venture into the office itself, which she was asked to leave the moment the rather peevish director caught sight of her—­a command that she obeyed only with reluctance and mumbling angry words.

“Among my colleagues the girl did not pass for a beauty.  They considered her too small, and were not able to determine the color of her hair.  Some there were who denied that she had cat’s eyes, but all agreed that she was pock-marked.  Of her buxom figure all spoke with enthusiasm, but they considered her rough, and one of them had a long story to tell about a box on the ear, the effects of which he claimed to have felt for a week afterwards.

“I was not one of her customers.  In the first place I had no money; in the second, I have always been obliged to look upon eating and drinking as a necessity, sometimes too much so, so that it has never entered my head to take pleasure and delight in it.  And so we took no notice of each other.  Only once, in order to tease me, my colleagues made her believe that I wanted some of her cakes.  She stepped up to my desk and held her basket out to me.  ‘I don’t want anything, my dear young woman,’ I said.  ‘Well, why do you send for me then?’ she cried angrily.  I excused myself, and as I saw at once that a practical joke had been played, I explained the situation as best I could.  ’Well then, at least give me a sheet of paper to put my cakes on,’ she said.  I tried to make her understand that it was chancery paper and didn’t belong to me, but that I had some paper at home which was mine and that I would bring her some of it.  ‘I have enough myself at home,’ she said mockingly, and broke into a little laugh as she went away.

“That had happened only a few days before and I was thinking of turning the acquaintance to immediate account for the fulfilment of my wish.  The next morning, therefore, I buttoned a whole ream of paper—­of which there was never a scarcity in our home—­under my coat, and went to the office.  In order not to betray myself, I kept my armor with great personal inconvenience upon my body until, toward noon, I knew from the going and coming of my colleagues and from the sound of the munching jaws that the cake-vender had arrived.  I waited until I had reason to believe that the rush of business was over, then I went out, pulled out my paper, mustered up sufficient courage, and stepped up to the girl.  With her basket before her on the ground and her right foot resting on a low stool, on which she usually sat, she stood there humming a soft melody, beating time with her right foot.  As I approached she measured me from head to foot, which only added to my confusion.  ’My dear young woman,’ I finally began, ’the other day you asked me for paper and I had none that belonged to me.  Now I have brought some from home, and’—­with that I held out the paper.  ‘I told you the other day,’ she replied,