ALFRED LICHTENSTEIN
479
of the poem "The Comedian" was movingly pithy in expression and feel–
mg.
After the reading, the president of the club, the gifted Dr. Bryller,
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 sudden–
ly interested in Kohn's hunched 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, hunchbacked gentleman skipped like a bal–
let dancer along grey, uncertain streets....
Kuno Kohn from now on avoided meetings
wi
th 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 hunchback. 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 men–
tioned the rival's name. Ilka Leipke was happy. She no longer thought of
the drunken night with Kohn. Kohn was no less repugnant to her now
than he had been before; she rejected further attempts by the poet. She
acted towards Mechenmal as though she were still very much in love with
Kohn. Once, however, she could not repress making an unseemly joke
about Kohn and his hump. Mechenmallaughed heartily.
Sadly, Kohn went to the shore. A publisher had made an unexpected,
favorable offer, and paid an advance. Mechenmal happened to find a poem
that Kohn sent from the shore to Ilka Leipke. He read:
Song of Longing
The folds of the sea crack like whips on my skin. And the stars of the
sea tear me open. The ocean's evening is lonely from screaming
wounds. But the lovers find the good death of which they dreamed.
Be there soon, sorrowful-eyed woman. The sea hurts me. Your hands
are cool saints.
Cover
me wi th them. The sea is burning on me. Help
then ...please help... cover me. Save me. Cure me, friend.
