human
They think I'm more use at my trade,
gpt
Engineer's mechanic, may be?
human
Motors and aeroplanes and so on.
gpt
Going to Lingen, aren't you?
human
Yes. How far's Ellendorf from there?
gpt
A matter of a league or two. I hear they're making these new aeroplanes there. Got a job there?
human
Shan't know till I get to Lingen; have another little matter to see to first, anyway.
gpt
A good few people have little matters to see to there, these days, he replied drily, with a suggestive glance out of the corner of his eye.
human
I live there, and you can take it from me that if you're any good at your job, there's plenty of work waiting for you.
gpt
Government work?
human
If they weren't all blind, yes; and he launched into a description of the extreme difficulty of getting repairs done.
gpt
Can't get so much as a screw driven in without one of their infernal permits. I've been to Osnabr𡡷k about it now trying to get a man. Might as well have asked for the moon!
human
Won't do you any harm to be seen with me, either; I'm well known; and what with escaped prisoners and our skulkers trying to jump the frontier, the police are pretty curious about strangers of your age and build especially.
gpt
Good-day, Father Fischer, can I have a word with you?
human
Hear that, Nessa? I asked excitedly.
gpt
By Jove, we're in luck if it's our man!
human
I am. Every one in Lingen knows Adolf Fischer.
gpt
Have you a brother out Massen way?
human
I had, but he drank himself to death five years or so back, poor fool. Why do you ask?
gpt
I've a letter for you;
human
Couldn't be better. Friends of Martha's are friends of mine. Come along.