Diederich was now asked for his personal view of the matter. He was preparing to speak, when old Buck stepped forward, holding himself erect, and his eyes flashing as they did at that fateful election meeting.
"I forbid this witness to give a favourable testimony to myself and my life. He is not qualified to do so. His success has been attained by methods very different from mine, and they have a very different aim. My house was always open and free to every one, including the witness. For more than fifty years my life has not been my own, it has been devoted to one idea, which was shared by many in my time, to justice and the common welfare. I was well off when I entered public life; when I leave it I shall be poor. I need no defence."
He was silent and his face trembled—but Diederich merely shrugged his shoulders. On what success was the old man counting? He had long since failed, and now he was spinning sonorous phrases, which inspired no confidence. He pretended to be superior, but he was already in the dust. How could a man so misunderstand his position? "If one of us is to condescend to the other"—Diederich glared. The old man flamed up in vain, he simply glared him down, and with him justice and the common welfare. Every man for himself—and what ever succeeded was right! … He felt clearly that this was definitely true. The old man felt it also; he sat down, his shoulders hunched, and in his face there was a look of some thing like shame. Turning to the magistrates he said: "I do not claim any privileged position. I submit to the judgment of my fellow-citizens."
As if nothing had happened, Diederich continued his testimony. It was really very favourable and made an excellent impression. Since the Lauer trial people found him changed for the better, he had acquired a quiet superiority, which was, after all, nothing wonderful, for he was now a man of some importance and dignity. It was just striking midday when the latest news from the "Netzig Journal" spread through the
