From one of these trips, he returned with a companion, a young German who, according to him, knew everything and could do everything.  His son-in-law was working too hard.  This Karl Hartrott would assist him in the bookkeeping.  Desnoyers accepted the situation, and in a few days felt increasing esteem for the new incumbent.

Although they belonged to two unfriendly nations, it didn’t matter.  There are good people everywhere, and this Karl was a subordinate worth considering.  He kept his distance from his equals, and was hard and inflexible toward his inferiors.  All his faculties seemed concentrated in service and admiration for those above him.  Scarcely would Madariaga open his lips before the German’s head began nodding in agreement, anticipating his words.  If he said anything funny, his clerk’s laugh would break forth in scandalous roars.  With Desnoyers he appeared more taciturn, working without stopping for hours at a time.  As soon as he saw the manager entering the office he would leap from his seat, holding himself erect with military precision.  He was always ready to do anything whatever.  Unasked, he spied on the workmen, reporting their carelessness and mistakes.  This last service did not especially please his superior officer, but he appreciated it as a sign of interest in the establishment.

The old man bragged triumphantly of the new acquisition, urging his son-in-law also to rejoice.

“A very useful fellow, isn’t he? . . .  These gringoes from Germany work well, know a good many things and cost little.  Then, too, so disciplined! so servile! . . .  I am sorry to praise him so to you because you are a Frenchy, and your nation has in them a very powerful enemy.  His people are a hard-shelled race.”

Desnoyers replied with a shrug of indifference.  His country was far away, and so was Germany.  Who knew if they would ever return! . . .  They were both Argentinians now, and ought to interest themselves in present affairs and not bother about the past.

“And how little pride they have!” sneered Madariaga in an ironical tone.  “Every one of these gringoes when he is a clerk at the Capital sweeps the shop, prepares the meals, keeps the books, sells to the customers, works the typewriter, translates four or five languages, and dances attendance on the proprietor’s lady friend, as though she were a grand senora . . . all for twenty-five dollars a month.  Who can compete with such people!  You, Frenchy, you are like me, very serious, and would die of hunger before passing through certain things.  But, mark my words, on this very account they are going to become a terrible people!”

After brief reflection, the ranchman added: 

“Perhaps they are not so good as they seem.  Just see how they treat those under them!  It may be that they affect this simplicity without having it, and when they grin at receiving a kick, they are saying inside, ‘Just wait till my turn comes, and I’ll give you three!’”