Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

172
THE ATTEMPT
He now sought, as the train was again in motion, to begin a conversation with
one of us, but it failed entirely. A not to he denied meteorological observation about
“ beautiful weather ” was passed over in silence. A question to the stout gentleman,
as to his destination, found no answer. I myself pretended to be asleep; and in this
manner we rattled on to Weimar. The little man was, therefore, thoroughly restless ;
he was constantly looking now at his watch, now at his chart, which he had soon
quite cut to pieces. He then pulled out a book as if to read, but quickly put it hack
again. How he took a pinch of snuff, which he also offered to the stout gentleman,
who only shook his head ; then he drew off his boot, and took a little stone out of it:
he really did not sit still one moment. Whenever the train stopped, he opened the
door himself, and rushed about the platform for a little while. He was always
looking for some one, hut evidently not for any one he knew, only some being with
whom he could converse. In despair he at last seized on the guard, who only remained
long enough with him to give the little man time to open his snuff-box and present
him with a pinch of snuff. At last we reached Weimar. There a rather withered
looking old gentleman with spectacles stepped into the carriage, carrying a travelling-
hag in each hand, and followed by his wife, a lively little brunette. We soon found
out that this gentleman was a professor. A servant, who accompanied them, handed
another large basket to the lady in the carriage, at the same time wishing them a
prosperous journey. Just now the engine whistled, the little man having but time
to spring into the carriage again. Then the professor began a search for his spectacles;
and, when he had found them, for his cigar-case, which he discovered at last in his wife’s
work-bag. But now he suddenly missed the key of his writing-case, it must have
been left on the table at home, and he appeared at one moment as if he would call a
halt to the train. The mouth-piece of his cigar he had also left behind in the hurry,
and, in short, in the course of the conversation, in which the little man in nankeen
took a lively part, it came out that a number of things had been forgotten and left
behind, and it required some time before the husband and wife were sufficiently
composed to endure patiently the unavoidable misfortune. It was done and could not
be undone.
We were now told, with incredible rapidity, by the little man in nankeen that he
was going to Frottstadt, where his fiancee and her parents, who had come from Eisenach,
were already awaiting him. From Frottstadt they were to take a post-chaise to
Waltershausen, and from that they were to walk to Beinhardsbrunn and to the
Inselberge. He also told us that he was an operative from Haumburg, but had obtained
leave for two days, and he was going to employ this short time in making a hurried