He expected to find his friend changed and feared that his agitation of the night before would have given way to cool irony and embarrassment. Instead, Johann came to meet him with quiet gravity. “So you’re leaving tomorrow,” he said. “I understand. And thank you for everything. You know, I haven’t forgotten about last night; we shall have to talk some more.” Otto consented, though he had his doubts. “If you like; but I don’t want to upset you again for nothing. Maybe we opened up too many wounds last night. Why did we have to wait till the last moment!” They ate breakfast in the studio. “No, we did the right thing,” said Johann firmly. “Exactly the right thing. I’ve had a sleepless night and mulled the whole thing over. You opened up a good many wounds, it was almost more than I could bear. Remember, I’ve had no one to talk to for years. But now I’ve got to straighten everything out and do what has to be done, or I really am the coward you called me last night.”
