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grand, without two, and with Schneider-he is called up for examination in Literature. He looks at the cards in despair. "I'd rather fail than not play out this hand!" he declares. But finally he puts his cards into his pocket, making the other two promise over a handshake to wait until he returns, and not to monkey with the hands in the meantime. The consequence is that he has forgotten the answer to one of his questions in Literature. "Literature is the crucial subject, you know," says Hollermann, full of concern-"if you get below three, you fail." Willy brightens up. "What will you bet I don't make it?" answers Willy, his head still full of the solo grand in his pocket, and persuaded that a Returned Man could not possibly fail. The form-master shakes his head. He is used to taking a lot from Willy. He waits patiently. Then all at once Willy pulls it off, and comes back in hot haste to take Reinersmann's and Westerholt's scalps. "Ninety-one!" says he triumphantly, and collects the money. We all pass, of course. The Principal, taking heart again a little now that he is about to get rid of the worst of the blackguards, cannot deny himself this opportunity of addressing to us yet a few golden words. He would like to make this leaving school a solemn sacrament, and begins to explain to us that having been so straightened by our arduous experience, we are now to pass out into life with high hope and good will. "'Pass out' is not good," interrupts Willy. "We've damned near passed out too often already in the other direction." The Principal draws in his horns. He sees that we are not amenable to soft soap. Even now reconciliation is not possible with such unprofitable, ungrateful material. We go our ways.
The next draft take their examination in three months' time. Ludwig has to wait till then, though it was he who wrote the answers for at least four of our fellows. But it is the primary law of this world where the old rule the young, that one must serve one's time. It is no question of ability. Else what would become of the old dodderers who cling to their power?	Для следующей группы, куда входят Альберт и Людвиг, экзамен будет через три месяца. Им придется еще торчать в школе, хотя и тот и другой написали за четырех из нас все письменные работы.
A few days after the examination we are sent out on probation to teach in the neighbouring villages.	Через несколько дней после окончания нам дали назначение в окрестные деревни в качестве временных заместителей на свободные учительские должности.
I am glad.	Я рад работе.
I am fed up with this aimless loafing around.	Мне надоело бесцельно слоняться целыми днями.
It has produced only brooding, and melancholy, and senseless noisy riot.	Безделие приводило лишь к вечному самокопанию, к тоске или к шумливой бессмысленной распущенности.
Now I will work.	Теперь я буду работать.
I pack my trunk and set off with Willy.	Уложив чемоданы, мы вместе с Вилли отправляемся к месту службы.