“Pepi?” father said, looking at me. Rudolph replied “She could easily earn just a much as Zenzi!” “Do you mean for her to become a whore?” slowly asked father. “A whore? Nonsense!” said Rudolph. “She is doing the same as Zenzi is doing now-there is nothing to that!-Thousands of girls are obliged to earn money that way!”
“That may be true,” said father doubtfully, “but-?” “There is no but about it,” continued Rudolph. “Do you think that it is more honorable for a girl to be poked by her own father? Besides, Zenzi does business with only fine gentlemen. She will have nothing to do with ordinary men. Believe me, I have trained Zenzi! The men whom she has dealings with are all gentlemen-a great deal nobler and finer than your daughter's dirty cur!” “The dirty cur!” repeated father, suddenly enraged. “It certainly would not harm her to earn some money for her father! You have surely worked for your children long enough,” said Rudolph. “Yes, you are right,” agreed father.
“Well, then, let Pepi go with Zenzi. I am sure that he will bring you at least three gulden every day. She's such a beautiful girl!”
I felt flattered at this. But fattier anxiously inquired: “But, the police?” “Never mind the police,” said Rudolph. “Have I ever had any trouble with Zenzi? Just leave that to Zenzi-she knows what she is doing.” “But, if it should happen?” said father.
“Well, then,” laughed Rudolph, “just say that you know nothing about it. Say that she went 'wrong' on her own accord. Pepi will not betray you.” I was silent during the entire conversation. In fact, I was not asked any questions. After considering for some time, father remarked: “No, I should hate to see her become a whore!”
“That is not the question,” said Rudolph. “Let her do this for the present, until you get another job. Then she can become respectable again.” This seemed to satisfy father. Rudolph had won him over completely. As a further assurance, Rudolph went on: “I only allow Zenzi to do this when I am out of work. As soon as I have a position, she must behave!” The next day I started out with Zenzi. It had been agreed, and now I entered upon my new career.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Zenzi and I walked to the city, going from one main street down to the other. It was Summertime and very warm. We were very lightly dressed, thin waists, and she taught me how to turn back my shirt so that my bare titties were visible through the garment. She seemed very efficient. She smiled at every man we met. I had not quite mastered this; I was timid and looked at every man in a sad manner. However, this seemed to suffice. On Lantern Street, I noticed a dark, old house. The first floor was entirely dark. Zenzi took me by the hand. Entering the yard, she rapped on a door. We were admitted by a homely old woman. We now found ourselves in a dark kitchen. From there we went into a small chamber, also dark. Looking me over, the old woman inquired: “Are you fourteen years old?” “Long ago,” Zenzi lied for me. “She is small for her age.” “You understand,” said the old woman, “for each time that you work here you pay me one gulden. But you must never come before eight o'clock in the evening. Above all things, look out for the police, and always collect from the men in advance.” We now returned to the main street, and Zenzi touched me, saying: “Look! That fellow over there is following us!” Meanwhile, in front of us was a tall, well-dressed man, with black whiskers. He turned around and looked at us. He walked slowly, allowing us to pass him. At the corner, Zenzi drew me into the side street: “Come,” she whispered, “we will turn in here.” She turned around. The man was standing on the corner. Zenzi nodded to him. He came toward us. “Come on,” she said, “he will not speak to us out in the open here.”
Stepping into the hallway of a vacant house we waited. Zenzi remarked: “This is a good place for you to come when you are in the neighborhood. Nobody lives here.” Just then the man came in. Zenzi smiled at him, but, walking up to me, he said: “Well, what is up?” “Nothing,” I answered. Zenzi asked: “Don't you want to come with us? Near here I know a woman from whom we can get a room.”
“No,” he whispered, “I haven't the time. We might go up these stairs-nobody lives here. Will you?” he asked me. I looked at him astonished. He looked more respectable than any man I had ever seen in this neighborhood. He carried a fine, silver-handled cane and wore a long, gold watch chain. We went upstairs. Zenzi remained on the landing, saying: “I will watch!” The man felt my breasts, saying: “Unbutton your blouse.” Then he thrust his hand inside my chemise. He seemed pleased that I was soft and tender. “Well, now, come on,” he said, his breath coming fast. I unbuttoned his pants and took out his shaft. It was white and tender, but stood straight like a wax candle. I leaned against the wall, raising my dress, thinking that he would poke me standing up. But he refused, saying: “I don't care to do it here. Just play with it and let me play with you!” So I began rubbing it back and forth. He played with my titties. He suddenly remarked: “There-that is good! Now up a little further-faster-wait!”
He handed me a handkerchief, with which I covered the head of the sword, and then proceeded. His legs began to tremble. I felt his engine quiver nervously in my hand. Then he “went off.” I wiped him-also my hand, which was wet and slimy-and then handed him back his handkerchief. He gave me two gulden and hurried away without once looking back at me. Zenzi and I waited a short time, then we also slipped out of the house. I was happy to have earned two gulden in only two minutes-and so easily!-I had had no trouble whatever. What's more, I had liked this gentleman so much that I would not have asked him for any money! On the street an old man spoke to me. I was so surprised that I was afraid to answer him. Zenzi poked me in the side.
He asked: “May I come with you?” I quickly answered: “Yes!”
He commanded: “Walk in front, I will follow you.” I started for the dark house. Zenzi had mysteriously disappeared. The old woman opened the door, ushered us into a dark room and left us alone.