BUDDENBROOKS
know that he would mind; but even so I am not sure it was just the nicest thing to do. But this much I do know: and this much I am going to say: that in this life it does not depend on how things are said and expressed, but on how they are felt and meant in the heart; and if you make fun of Herr Permaneder’s language and find him ridiculous—”
“Who? Why? Tony, what an idea! Why are you getting excited—?”
“Assez,” said the Frau Consul, casting an imploring glance at her son. It meant “Spare her!”
“Please don’t be angry, Tony,” he said. “I didn’t mean to provoke you. And now I will go and see that somebody from the warehouse brings Herr Permaneder’s trunk. Au revoir.”
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