Herr Kesselmeyer simply began to laugh. He laughed with his mouth open, in spasms, without a trace of scorn, even good-naturedly, looking at the Consul as though he were inviting him to join in the fun. Johann Buddenbrook’s little deep eyes clouded over and began to show red rims around them that ran down to the cheek-bones. He had only asked for form’s sake, being aware that a postponement on the part of one creditor would not materially alter the situation. But the manner of this man’s refusal was mortifying indeed. With a motion of the hand he pushed away everything from in front of him, laid the pencil down with a jerk on the table, and said, “Then I must express myself as unwilling to concern myself any further with this affair.” “Ah, ha!” cried Herr Kesselmeyer, shaking his hands in the air. “That’s the way to talk. The Herr Consul will settle everything out of hand--we shan’t have any long speeches. Without more ado.” Johann Buddenbrook did not even look at him. “I cannot help you, my friend.” He turned calmly to Herr Grünlich. “Things must go on as they have begun. Pull yourself together, and God will give you strength and consolation. I must consider our interview at an end.” Herr Kesselmeyer’s face took on a serious expression which was vastly becoming to it. But then he nodded encouragingly to Herr Grünlich. The latter sat motionless at the table, only wringing his hands so hard that the fingers cracked. “Father--Herr Consul,” he said, with a trembling voice. “You will not--you cannot desire my ruin. Listen. It is a matter of a hundred and twenty thousand marks in all--you can save me! You are a rich man. Regard it as you like--as a final arrangement, as your daughter’s inheritance, as a loan subject to interest. I will work--you know I am keen and resourceful--” “I have spoken my last word,” said the Consul. “Permit me--may I ask whether you could if you would?” asked Herr Kesselmeyer, looking at him through his glasses, with his nose wrinkled up. “I suggest to the Consul that this would be a most advantageous time to display the strength of the firm of Buddenbrook.” “You would do well, sir, to leave the good name of my house to me. I do not need to throw my money in the nearest ditch in order to show how good my credit is.” “Dear me, no, of course not--ditch, ah, ha!--Ditch is very funny. But doesn’t the gentleman think the failure of his son-in-law places his own credit in a bad light--er--ah--?” “I can only recommend you again to remember that my credit in the business world is entirely my own affair,” said the Consul.