Summary

Dahlmann arrived at a general store on the way to his destination. He entered and thought he recognized the shop’s owner. However, he had been mistaken by his resemblance to one of the hospital’s nurses. After sitting down, Dahlmann decided to eat. As Dahlmann sat, he noticed three “country louts” (172) being rowdy at the bar. Next to them was an old man who appeared to be “situated in eternity” (172). He was dressed like the typical “gauchos” (172), or cowboys, of the southern Argentinian countryside, so Dahlmann considered him to be a representation of “the South” (172).

Dahlmann ate his food and drank some wine. Afterwards, he observed his surroundings. While he was looking around, one of the louts threw a bread crumb at him. Dahlmann ignored him and started to read his book. Shortly after opening his book, he felt another bread crumb...