Katherine Mansfield / The Modern Soul

6 

The Modern Soul

by Katherine Mansfield

"Good-evening," said the Herr Professor, squeezing my hand; "wonderful weather! I have just returned from a party in the wood. I have been making music for them on my trombone. You know, these pine-trees provide most suitable accompaniment for a trombone! They are sighing delicacy against sustained strength, as I remarked once in a lecture on wind instruments in Frankfort. May I be permitted to sit beside you on this bench, gnadige Frau?"

Katherine Mansfield / Frau Fischer

4 

Frau Fischer

by Katherine Mansfield

Frau Fischer was the fortunate possessor of a candle factory somewhere on the banks of the Eger, and once a year she ceased from her labours to make a "cure" in Dorschausen, arriving with a dress-basket neatly covered in a black tarpaulin and a hand-bag. The latter contained amongst her handkerchiefs, eau de Cologne, toothpicks, and a certain woollen muffler very comforting to the "magen," samples of her skill in candle-making, to be offered up as tokens of thanksgiving when her holiday time was over.

Katherine Mansfield / Frau Brechenmacher attends a Wedding

5

Frau Brechenmacher attends a Wedding

By Katherine Mansfield

Getting ready was a terrible business. After supper Frau Brechenmacher packed four of the five babies to bed, allowing Rosa to stay with her and help to polish the buttons of Herr Brechenmacher's uniform. Then she ran over his best shirt with a hot iron, polished his boots, and put a stitch or two into his black satin necktie.

Katherine Mansfield / The Sister of the Baroness

3

The Sister of the Baroness

by Katherine Mansfield
BIOGRAPHY

"There are two new guests arriving this afternoon,” said the manager of the pension, placing a chair for me at the breakfast table. “I have only received the letter acquainting me with the fact this morning. The Baroness von Gall is sending her little daughter—the poor child is dumb—to make the ‘cure.’ She is to stay with us a month, and then the Baroness herself is coming.”

Katherine Mansfield / The Baron

2. 

The Baron

by Katherine Mansfield
BIOGRAPHY

"Who is he?” I said. “And why does he sit always alone, with his back to us, too?”

“Ah!” whispered the Frau Oberregierungsrat, “he is a BARON.”

Katherine Mansfield / Germans at Meat

Spoon
Illustration by Triunfo Arciniegas

1 

Germans at Meat

by Katherine Mansfield
BIOGRAPHY

Bread soup was placed upon the table. “Ah,” said the Herr Rat, leaning upon the table as he peered into the tureen, “that is what I need. My ‘magen’ has not been in order for several days. Bread soup, and just the right consistency. I am a good cook myself”—he turned to me.