"If you would only free yourself from the habit of considering whatever is connected in the remotest degree with the Jewish question as something of the greatest import. It's really a matter of absolute indifference to me whether a given person comes or goes, how he comes or goes, and what he thinks or does. It's merely a private matter, an individual case." "Every individual case is at the present time a matter of universal concern," said Hugo, his eyes glowering. "There we are, before we know it, at the same wearisome discussion. Throw the cat as you will, it always lands on its feet," exclaimed Mr. Benas, angrily. "The question forces itself upon us, whether we wish it or not," said Mr. Freudenthal, "the clearest proof that it exists; just as a painful sickness reminds the suffering body of its existence. Of what use are morphine injections? Merely a momentary deadening, but the evil is not removed." "But one gets tired of continually harping on the same old chord," Friedheim answered. "But in the world, by strangers, then in one's own reflections, and finally in the talk of friends, acquaintances, relations, in such social gatherings as this, at Skat, or dinners--everywhere the same dish is served. Occasionally you really long for an injection for the sake of peace." "Yet there are few to whom the matter has been as vital as to you," said Freudenthal. "Just because of that. Do you think a wound is healed by constantly tapping it? I use a morphine of my own, my own tried anaesthetic,--strenuous work, untiring activity, and the development of my specialty. This for the world; and for myself,--a quiet family life." "That has not been your taste always," interrupted Lesser. "You, a politician! A man made for public life! Concerned in every matter of state and city government, always in the public eye." Earlier in their careers the cousins had harbored slight jealousies in matters of this kind. "Now we have it again," cried Mr. Friedheim, angrily, rising, "now the sequel will follow: And how did they reward you? Didn't they remind you of the yellow badge your fathers wore? Didn't they wave it before you, a token of past shame, and what is worse, of future shame? How did they thank you for the gift you gave them in your legal work, in your endeavors for the public weal, and so on _ad infinitum?_ I know this war cry, and I am not in the mood to-day to hear it again." Mr. Lesser and Mr. Freudenthal had also arisen. "Whether you wish to hear it or not, that does not in the least change matters," said Mr. Freudenthal. "And if you should stop up your ears with cotton, you would only deafen yourself temporarily; the trumpet call would sound all the louder." "I'm entirely satisfied to hear no more of it for a time at least." "Desire and convenience do not regulate such affairs," said Mr. Lesser, ironically. "Why not? What's to prevent our getting together comfortably without these endless disputes and excited debates?"