* * * * *
To-morrow I am supposed to visit her. Until to-day I longed for
to-morrow to arrive. And now I am afraid of it. To-day I do not
desire it. I tremble lest I go to her after all. Whither will this
lead? Who is she? What is she? Why has she singled _me_ out? I have
grey hairs already and a grown-up daughter almost her age.
Isn’t that the rustle of the paper with which I stuffed the broken
pane?
Yes. Somebody’s clawing and tearing at it.
Or perhaps it’s the black cat again! I jump to my feet and run to the
window. Yes. The black cat has pulled out the paper and has already
thrust her head in through the opening.
No! This time you shall not crawl in! I place my hand upon her head
and press, press with all my strength. Oh, surely I’ll crush the
feline life out of her!...
Yet.... Yet.... How strong she is!... She plants herself firmly upon
her forepaws and gradually thrusts herself backwards through the
opening and from under my hand. And now she already has her forepaws
on the outer side of the window.... I am seized with terror.... Hot
and cold chills pass through me.... I begin to call for help....
* * * * *
Fie, what an evil dream! How my heart throbs! I go to the window.
Outside it is still raining; the night is black, and on the window
ledge lies the black cat, peacefully coiled into a ball.
I place my hot forehead against the cool window-pane and am consumed
by a passionate wish. May the _other one_, too, be only an evil
dream! And I shudder.
Oh! Oh!
To-morrow—to-morrow—to-morrow!...