thanked the poet, whom he called a budding genius. One of the few
whom he personally knew. In spite of the ban against young girls,
Ilka Leipke had somehow managed to gain entrance. Mechenmal, who had
at first said that he would not come, also appeared. At the break,
however, he said that he was hungry, that he was going, and hadn't
she had enough of the nonsense. If she did not want to come with him
she could stay. She seemed suddenly interested in Kohn's hunch-back.
He wished her much luck, asked if he should play the pimp, and left.
Ilka Leipke cried a bit, and remained until the very end. She
applauded enthusiastically. On this evening she loved Kohn. In a
strange mood she took him to her place.

Towards morning a small, hunch-backed gentleman skipped like a ballet
dancer along grey, uncertain streets...

Kuno Kohn from now on avoided meetings with Mechenmal. He no longer
invited him. He bought newspapers in another kiosk. That suited
Mechenmal just fine. His beloved had told him, with a provocative
smile, that she had spent a lovely night in her bedroom with the
hunch-back.

The hump had not been unpleasant for her; it was not as big and
hateful as it seemed to a superficial observer. One could easily
become accustomed to the hump.

Mechenmal was furious at Kohn. He was gentler and more indulgent
towards Ilka Leipke. He did not show her his jealousy, and never
mentioned the rival's name. Ilka Leipke was happy. She no longer
thought of the drunken night with Kohn. Kohn was now no less
repugnant to her now than he had been before; she rejected further