From now on his state of mind alternated between despairing resignation to what could no longer be prevented, what had already probably taken place, and feverish endeavors to prevent it notwithstanding.  In accordance with these two moods his behavior toward Apollonius took the form of unconcealed obstinacy or of cringing and vigilant dissimulation.  When the first mood governed him he sought forgetfulness day and night.  Unfortunately the discharged workman had found employment in a quarry near by and was his companion on many a night.  The important people turned away from him, and revenged themselves on him with unconcealed contempt for the desire that he had awakened in them and could no longer satisfy.  He avoided them, and followed the workman into places where the latter was at home.  There he sounded his jovial condescension an octave lower.  The gin-shops now rang with his jokes; and they took on more and more the character of the surroundings.

Roofs that are covered with metal or tiles usually require repairing only after a number of years have elapsed; it is different with slate roofs.  While the roof is being covered damage to the slates from the scaffolds and the workmen’s feet cannot be avoided.  And such damage often does not become apparent until afterward.  Often more considerable repairs are required during the three years immediately following the covering of the roof than for fifty years afterward.  The roof of St. George’s added its testimony to the truth of this old experience.  The slate roof of the tower, on the contrary, which Apollonius had attended to alone, bore gratifying witness to its maker’s obstinate conscientiousness.  The jackdaws who inhabited it would have been left in peace by his swinging seat for a long time if an old master-tinsmith had not chosen to show his ecclesiastical leanings by donating a tin ornament.  This wreath of tin flowers which Apollonius was to lay around the tower roof was now the cause of his once more fastening his ladder to the broach-post.  A little more than six months had elapsed since he had taken it down.

In the meantime his strenuous efforts had not been without success.  He had kept his old customers and won new ones in addition.  His creditors had their interest and a small payment on the principal for the first year; confidence in Apollonius and respect for him grew from day to day and with them grew his hope and his strength, for which he paid by redoubled exertions.  If only the same thing could have been said of his brother, of the understanding between him and his wife!

It was fortunate for Apollonius that he had to put his whole soul into his purpose, that he had no time to follow his brother with his eye and heart, to see how the man whom he was trying to save sank deeper and deeper.  When he rejoiced in his success, he did so from a feeling of loyalty to his brother and his brother’s family; Fritz saw something quite different in his rejoicing and thought of nothing but of how to destroy it.