liked him very much.  Mechenmal answered that he would not object to satisfying Miss Frida’s inclination occasionally.  The servant girl reminded him embarrassingly often of his promise.—­Every Tuesday afternoon a certain Mr. Simon, who lived in an open sanitarium, and was always accompanied by an attendant, asked for the magazines for undertakers; if there were not enough available, he went off peeved, cursing the crematorium.—­Kuno Kohn also came a few times every week, rarely to buy something, mainly to visit his friend and to make an appointment for the evening rendez-vous.—­Students, ladies, officers, workers bought their newspapers.  Only Ilse Leipke, in spite of Mechenmal’s repeated requests, refused to come to the kiosk.

This was a whim of Ilka Leipke.  She had much time for herself and complained to her beloved many times that the days were more boring than the nights.  Ilsa Leipke also loved her sweet dwarf no less than in the early days of their acquaintanceship, even though Mechenmal was increasingly high-handed and nasty in his treatment of her.  It went so far that he enjoyed it when she cried; he was never content until he had brought her to tears.  Then it gave him pleasure to comfort her.  Afterwards, however, he was very good to her; basically, he loved her.  He let Ilka Leipke caress and kiss him.  He was a bit larger than she, but she held him on her young body like a child.  They told stories to each other.  They laughed.  They kissed.  They often went over the story of the way they met.  They discovered thousands of new details, or made something up because it was fun.  The girl found, a box in which small items lay, a clipping from a newspaper, which read like this: 

  marriage request

A young, somewhat small, very good-looking man, tired of being alone, is looking for a similarly inclined lady, with honorable marriage in mind.  Money an advantage.  Send friendly replies to Max Mechenmal.

Or Mr. Mechenmal took out of his wallet a blue letter with violet red spots, which he held out smilingly to the girl.  Miss Lepke then read it well, in a gentle, loving voice: 

  Very honored gentleman!

Read your request for marriage.  To my regret I cannot supply capital.  For my part I could do without the marriage, of which I have no need yet.  I am by trade a woman.  I am small (but wow!).  I am tired of having boy friends and therefore am looking for a relationship with a steady man.  If you find my proposal agreeable, please send me a photo of yourself.  I remain your devoted

  Ilka Leipke