There was no reply to this. I went up to my room. Gräuben followed me. She undertook to pack up all things necessary for my voyage. She was no more moved than if I had been starting for a little trip to Lübeck or Heligoland. Her little hands moved without haste. She talked quietly. She supplied me with sensible reasons for our expedition. She delighted me, and yet I was angry with her. Now and then I felt I ought to break out into a passion, but she took no notice and went on her way as methodically as ever. Finally the last strap was buckled; I came downstairs. All that day the philosophical instrument makers and the electricians kept coming and going. Martha was distracted.
Erre nem volt mit felelnem. Visszamentem a szobámba, Grauben jött utánam. Vállalkozott rá, hogy az útra szükséges holmimat becsomagolja egy kis bőröndbe. Amikor az útitáska utolsó szíját is becsatoltuk, lementem a földszintre. Egész nap folyt a műszerek, fegyverek, elektromos készülékek szállítása. A derék Márta teljesen elvesztette a fejét.