"  Yes,"  answered  the  Jew.     "  That  is  what  they  call


THE  SENSE  OF  CLIMAX  29

it.  But  a  local  variety.  Here  it  is  not  sudden  passion,
but  a  thing  suggested  to  the  mob,  and  guided  by  police
and  officers.  It  is  an  expedient  of  politics."

He  spoke  with  a  restraint  that  was  more  than  any
emphasis.
"  And  therefore,"  he  went  on,  "  the  kindness  of  your
Excellency  is  the  greater,  since  you  saved  the  child  not
from  law-breakers,  but  from  authority  itself."

"  I  have  done  nothing,"  said  Truda.  "  The  child  is
a  dear  little  thing.  I — I  wish  she  were  mine."

"  She,  too,  is  a  Jew,"  said  the  other.
"  I  know,"  answered  Truda.  The  steadiness  of  his
gaze  was  an  embarrassment  by  now.  She  flushed  a
little  under  it.
"  I  am  wondering,"  she  said,  "  if  nothing  can  be
done.  I  think — I  believe — that  the  world  does  not
know  of  this  persecution.  Perhaps  I  could  say  a  word
— in  some  high  quarter "

"  Why  should  you  concern  yourself  ?  "  asked  the
Jew  evenly.  "  Why  should  you  take  this  trouble  ?  "

"  Why  ?  "  Truda  looked  up  at  him,  doubtful  of  his
meaning.
He  nodded.  "  Why  ?  "  he  repeated.  "  It  cannot
be  good  for  Truda  Schottelius  to  stand  on  the  side  of
Jews  ?  "

"  What  do  you  mean  ?  "  demanded  Truda.
He  continued  to  look  at  her  steadily,  but  made  no
answer.  She  rose  from  her  chair  and  took  one  step
towards  him ;  then  paused.  A  tense  moment  of
silence  passed,  and  Truda  Schottelius  sighed.
"  How  did  you  know  ?  "  she  asked,  in  a  matter-of-
fact  tone.
