Samh
10.29.1342 18:00
Geodor, in his De Montfort disguise, and Diatter slowly
walked in the direction chosen by the latter.
“Our acquaintance has been so brief that I hesitate
to ask you about your history,” Geodor finally said. “If it doesn’t offend you,
please tell me why you were so reluctant to leave an employment that is
evidently injuring you?”
“Oh, that’s a very simple matter,” replied Diatter,
endeavoring to be calm. “I have a mother and only sister depending upon my
salary—which is only seventy thousand-notes—but we manage it with great
economy. Some months ago, I felt my health breaking down from such intense
application to my work, and I requested permission to resign, trusting I could
find another situation once I had recovered.”
“And was it granted?”
“Oh, no! On the contrary, the lieutenant said that
it was impossible for me to leave until another took my place. No one applied until
you came today.”
“But when I applied, you seemed to hope that the
lieutenant would refuse to hire me—I saw it in your countenance. This behavior seems
paradoxical.”
“I’m very selfish—I acknowledge it. The thought of
my loved ones at home without money—without any resources—lay heavily upon my
heart. I know that I must die—nothing that can save me now. I might have lived,
but now it is too late. Therefore, I decided to work until the last.”
“Brave heart!” exclaimed Geodor. “I’m sad I’m the
one who prevented you from accomplishing your heroic resolution. But in return
for that offense, I ought to be of some service to you. Please, give me time to
reflect.”
They arrived before a large, uncomfortable-looking
apartment building, and Diatter paused.
“This is my home,” he wheezed. “If you have more
to say, will you come in? I’m much too fatigued to walk farther to continue
talking.”
Geodor readily accepted the invitation. The pneumo-lifts
were out of order, so they ascended the two flights of stairs during which Diatter
often had to pause. Halfway down the hallway, they entered a low-ceilinged,
small room. A matron of about fifty years and a little girl of twelve, the
mother and sister of Diatter, received them.
Geodor expressed great sympathy for his new friend
and assured him that he would do everything to assist him and his family. He invited
them to make his cottage their future residence, where he would send a
physician to attend Herolam Diatter until he recovered. The Diatters gratefully
accepted his offer.
Mrs. Diatter profusely thanked Geodor for his
kindness, to herself and to her children. After which, he excused himself to
prepare for his new occupation, walking with a spring in his step because he
could help those dear souls.
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