““Besides,” continued Gottfried, “you’re coming now to the time when the difference between a bourgeois and a cavalier begins to show. A bourgeois always gets less attentive the longer he knows a woman. A cavalier, always more attentive.” He made an extended gesture. “With all this you can become an absolutely staggering cavalier.” I laughed. “That is all fine, Gottfried,” said I. “But what happens when you get caught? There’s not much of a getaway, and pious people might easily consider it as desecration of a holy place.” “My dear boy,” replied Lenz, “do you see anybody here? Since the war people go to political meetings, not to church.” That was true. “But what about the parsons?” I asked.””
