And I also had to look after the various effects such as thunder, the singing of a nightingale, and so on. Having no social position, I had no decent clothes, and during rehearsals had to hold aloof from the others in the darkened wings and shyly say nothing.
We talked a little longer and I gave in.
My intention not to return to the office, but to start a new working life, was unshakable.
With perfect sincerity, in order to show the purity of my motives, by which I hope to be guided all through my life,
But how I longed to be understood!
The problem was simple and clear: how was I to earn my living?
"Please listen to me," said I firmly, though I did not anticipate gaining anything by speaking. "What you call a position in society is the privilege of capital and education. But people who are poor and uneducated have to earn their living by hard physical labour, and I see no reason why I should be an exception."
