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the gutters of side… streets。 The German student； conscious of the rapid
approach of oblivion； uses all his remaining energy to get round the corner；
where he may collapse without anxiety。 In certain districts he may ring
bells。 The rent of flats in these localities is lower than in other quarters
of the town； while the difficulty is further met by each family preparing
for itself a secret code of bell…ringing by means of which it is known
whether the summons is genuine or not。 When visiting such a household
late at night it is well to be acquainted with this code； or you may； if
persistent； get a bucket of water thrown over you。
Also the German student is allowed to put out lights at night； but there
is a prejudice against his putting out too many。 The larky German
student generally keeps count； contenting himself with half a dozen lights
per night。 Likewise； he may shout and sing as he walks home； up till
half…past two； and at certain restaurants it is permitted to him to put his
arm round the Fraulein's waist。 To prevent any suggestion of
unseemliness； the waitresses at restaurants frequented by students are
always carefully selected from among a staid and elderly classy of women；
by reason of which the German student can enjoy the delights of flirtation
without fear and without reproach to anyone。
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They are a law…abiding people； the Germans。
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CHAPTER X
Baden from the visitor's point of viewBeauty of the early morning； as
viewed from the preceding afternoonDistance； as measured by the
compassDitto； as measured by the legGeorge in account with his
conscienceA lazy machineBicycling； according to the poster： its
restfulnessThe poster cyclist： its costume； its methodThe griffin as a
household petA dog with proper self… respectThe horse that was
abused。
From Baden； about which it need only be said that it is a pleasure
resort singularly like other pleasure resorts of the same description； we
started bicycling in earnest。 We planned a ten days' tour； which； while
completing the Black Forest； should include a spin down the Donau…Thal；
which for the twenty miles from Tuttlingen to Sigmaringen is； perhaps； the
finest valley in Germany； the Danube stream here winding its narrow way
past old… world unspoilt villages； past ancient monasteries； nestling in
green pastures； where still the bare…footed and bare…headed friar； his rope
girdle tight about his loins； shepherds； with crook in hand； his sheep upon
the hill sides； through rocky woods； between sheer walls of cliff； whose
every towering crag stands crowned with ruined fortress； church； or castle；
together with a blick at the Vosges mountains； where half the population is
bitterly pained if you speak to them in French； the other half being insulted
when you address them in German； and the whole indignantly
contemptuous at the first sound of English； a state of things that renders
conversation with the stranger somewhat nervous work。
We did not succeed in carrying out our programme in its entirety； for
the reason that human performance lags ever behind human intention。 It
is easy to say and believe at three o'clock in the afternoon that： 〃We will
rise at five； breakfast lightly at half… past； and start away at six。〃
〃Then we shall be well on our way before the heat of the day sets in；〃
remarks one。
〃This time of the year； the early morning is really the best part of the
day。 Don't you think so？〃 adds another。
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〃Oh； undoubtedly。〃
〃So cool and fresh。〃
〃And the half…lights are so exquisite。〃
The first morning one maintains one's vows。 The party assembles at
half…past five。 It is very silent； individually； somewhat snappy； inclined
to grumble with its food； also with most other things； the atmosphere
charged with compressed irritability seeking its vent。 In the evening the
Tempter's voice is heard：
〃I think if we got off by half…past six； sharp； that would be time
enough？〃
The voice of Virtue protests； faintly： 〃It will be breaking our
resolution。〃
The Tempter replies： 〃Resolutions were made for man； not man for
resolutions。〃 The devil can paraphrase Scripture for his own purpose。
〃Besides； it is disturbing the whole hotel； think of the poor servants。〃
The voice of Virtue continues； but even feebler： 〃But everybody gets
up early in these parts。〃
〃They would not if they were not obliged to； poor things！ Say
breakfast at half…past six； punctual； that will be disturbing nobody。〃
Thus Sin masquerades under the guise of Good； and one sleeps till six；
explaining to one's conscience； who； however； doesn't believe it； that one
does this because of unselfish consideration for others。 I have known
such consideration extend until seven of the clock。
Likewise； distance measured with a pair of compasses is not precisely
the same as when measured by the leg。
〃Ten miles an hour for seven hours； seventy miles。 A nice easy day's
work。〃
〃There are some stiff hills to climb？〃
〃The other side to come down。 Say； eight miles an hour； and call it
sixty miles。 Gott in Himmel！ if we can't average eight miles an hour； we
had better go in bath…chairs。〃 It does seem somewhat impossible to do
less； on paper。
But at four o'clock in the afternoon the voice of Duty rings less
trumpet…toned：
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〃Well； I suppose we ought to be getting on。〃
〃Oh； there's no hurry！ don't fuss。 Lovely view from here； isn't it？〃
〃Very。 Don't forget we are twenty…five miles from St。 Blasien。〃
〃How far？〃
〃Twenty…five miles； a little over if anything。〃
〃Do you mean to say we have only come thirty…five miles？〃
〃That's all。〃
〃Nonsense。 I don't believe that map of yours。〃
〃It is impossible； you know。 We have been riding steadily ever since
the first thing this morning。〃
〃No； we haven't。 We didn't get away till eight； to begin with。〃
〃Quarter to eight。〃
〃Well； quarter to eight； and every half…dozen miles we have stopped。〃
〃We have only stopped to look at the view。 It's no good coming to
see a country； and then not seeing it。〃
〃And we have had to pull up some stiff hills。〃
〃Besides； it has been an exceptionally hot day to…day。〃
〃Well； don't forget St。 Blasien is twenty…five miles off； that's all。〃
〃Any more hills？〃
〃Yes； two； up and down。〃
〃I thought you said it was downhill into St。 Blasien？〃
〃So it is for the last ten miles。 We are twenty…five miles from St。
Blasien here。〃
〃Isn't there anywhere between here and St。 Blasien？ What's that little
place there on the lake？〃
〃It isn't St。 Blasien； or anywhere near it。 There's a danger in
beginning that sort of thing。〃
〃There's a danger in overworking oneself。 One should study
moderation in all things。 Pretty little place； that Titisee； according to the
map； looks as if there would be good air there。〃
〃All right； I'm agreeable。 It was you fellows who suggested our
making for St。 Blasien。〃
〃Oh； I'm not so keen on St。 Blasien！ poky little place； down in a valley。
This Titisee； I should say； was ever so much nicer。〃
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〃Quite near； isn't it？〃
〃Five miles。〃
General chorus： 〃We'll stop at Titisee。〃
George made discovery of thi