"Herr Schneider (1933)" Summary

Friedrich and the narrator sit on the curb of an empty street, with Friedrich explaining math problems to his distracted friend. A downcast drunk shuffles by, and they recognize Friedrich's father. Tears run down his face. It's the first time the narrator has seen a grown man weep. Friedrich goes indoors with his father, and the narrator goes upstairs to tell his mother. Sure something dreadful must have happened, she says they must be quiet today, so as not to disturb the Schneiders. Pale, unkempt and anxious, Frau Schneider comes down toward evening, collapses on a kitchen chair, and sobs loudly. She is afraid. The narrator's mother brews coffee, adds a good shot of brandy, and feeds it to Frau Schneider by spoon to calm her. Eventually, Frau Schneider confides her husband has been forced to retire from his...