102
PARTISAN REVIEW
tices what, with only a little less simplicity, he could have seen at the
very beginning-that he will be worn out sooner than the assistant.
So
looking for outside heip, he threatens the assistant by pointing at
Blumfeld, with whom he will lodge a complaint if the assistant does
not leave off at once. The assistant, realizing he will have to hurry
if
he
wants to get the broom at all, snatches at it impudently. An involun–
tary outcry from the other·assistant marks the approaching crisis. The
attendant, to be sure, rescues the broom this time by stepping back–
wards and snatching it with him. But now the assistant will no longer
give way; with mouth open and eyes flashing he leaps forward; the
attendant tries to flee, but his old legs, instead of running, simply
knock together. The assistant wrenches at the broom, and though he
still fails to get it, at least succeeds in knocking it to the floor where it
is lost to the attendant. And to the assistantc; as well, it would seem, for
at the falling of the broom all three-the assistants and the attendant
- are at first frozen with fright, for now everything will be perfectly
plain to Blumfeld. In fact, Blumfeld is looking up through his wicket
as if he had just now become aware of something amiss. Sternly and
searchingly he fixes each one with
his
eye; not even the broom on the
floor escapes him. Whether because the silence lasts too long or be–
cause the guilty assistant can not suppress his desire to sweep, at all
events, the assistant stoops down, very cautiously of course, the way
one reaches after an animal rather than a broom, takes it in
his
hand
and starts trailing it over the floor, but immediately throws it away in
terror when Blumfeld leaps to his feet and steps out ·of the cubicle.
"Back to your work, both of you, and not another word!" shoutc;
Blumfeld, pointing with outstretched arm the way to their desks. They
obey instantly, but not at all ashamed and with lowered heads; on the
contrary, they pass by Blumfeld stiffly, looking him straight in the eye,
as though they would thereby keep him from striking them. They
should have at least learned enough from experience to know that
Blumfeld on principle never strikes anyone. But they are over-fearful,
and keep striving, without any delicacy of feeling, to protect their real
or apparent rights.
(Translated by Philip Horton)
