generosity, quarrelled most miserly about money with a meagre man whom he called the chief manager, and from whom he wanted a few thalers of extra pay. Yes, I have seen all with my own eyes, and heard with my own ears, all the greatness and nobility which is acted before us is all sham and flam. Self-interest and selfishness are the secret springs of all actions, and an intelligent being will not let itself be humbugged by outside show."
Here, however, there rose a sighing, sorrowful voice which seemed familiar to my ears, though I know not whether it was of a mouse male or a mouse feminine. She began with a wail over the frivolity of the age, lamented its unbelief and scepticism, and said a great deal about her love for everything and everybody. "I love you," she sighed, "and I tell you the truth. And Truth revealed itself to me through grace in a blessed hour. I was on a pilgrimage, going about here and there trying to attain to a revelation or comprehension of the various deeds which are done on this earthly stage, and also to pick up some crumbs to satisfy my bodily hunger—for I love you. And it came to pass that I found a spacious hole—yes, my friends—a chest, in which there sat crouching a thin grey dwarf,[1] who held in his hand a roll of paper, and with a slow monotonous voice he repeated to himself
- ↑ This refers to the prompter in his box.—Translator.
