Konrad and Alexandra (PDF) - Rolf Gross

The others came lumbering up the stairs.When they reached solid ground again Katharina laughed. "I forgot all about the beer!" She led them between stallsselling religious trinkets down to the opposite side of the hill. In a tree-shaded garden other pilgrims were whiling awaythe afternoon drinking the dark beer of the monks. Their church banners leaned against the fence.Katharina ordered a Radlermass, a mixture of light beer and lemonade, for herself and Alexandra, who had pulled a faceat the huge glasses of the powerful, dark brew.Happy and slightly adrift they walked back towards Herrsching in the slanting light. Katharina took them along the millvalley.Niko, Konrad, and Alexandra began to sing Georgian songs."You are wonderful," said Claudia, "I wish I could join you, but the harmonies are very strange.""Nonsense, Konrad learned them too." Alexandra took her by the arm, and taught her one of her favorite songs.Eventually even Friedrich and Katharina joined in the refrains.On the train home everybody collapsed exhausted into their seats. Claudia dropped off to sleep, her head leaning onNiko’s shoulder. Konrad and Alexandra were at peace again, only Katharina had enough energy left to tease Friedrich.Wistful, Alexandra observed her blond friend. She had no need to worry about Katharina and Konrad—but what wouldbecome of Katharina and herself?27.Steiner, Schönberg, and Kandinsky at the Dahls1905They were late to the Dahl’s party. A row of cars lined the street. The house was crowded.As they often did on such occasions, Konrad and Alexandra separated after paying their honneurs to the hostess. In thisway they could each follow their own inclinations and on their way home compare notes.Konrad searched for Friedrich and discovered him in animated conversation with Katharina, who looked stunning in hernew blouse. Katharina waved at Alexandra from the distance.Claudia took Alexandra to introduce her to Kandinsky. "You have to meet this interesting man."Alexandra recognized and disliked him at once."Alexandra, this is Herr Wassily Kandinsky, my friend Alexandra Dadiani-Rost. Alexandra just arrived from St.Petersburg. Her husband has an appointment at the university, and she works at the Schwabing hospital as a physician."Kandinsky scrutinized her through his rimless glasses and addressed her in Russian. "Your name is Princess Dadiani-Rost, am I right? A gruzinska printsessa...! From Tiflis?" He asked with a self-gratified smile, "I am enchanted to makeyour acquaintance."With her sweetest smile Alexandra extended her hand, and he produced a perfect hand-kiss. It is pleasing to see thisRussian Bluebeard stoop, she thought. I could slap his face."You guessed right," she said in German, "maybe, being in München, Dr. Dadiani-Rost would be more appropriate."About forty, Kandinsky looked every bit the Muscovite intellectual she had expected: A thin pointed beard, a well-trimmedmustache above a full, soft mouth, heavy eyebrows, receding brown hair. He held his chin tucked in and gazed at herwith unsmiling, brown eyes. A vest covered his prominent chest, a golden watch chain, high boots half-hidden under thetrousers of a well-tailored suit."Oh," he said in German, "forgive me for falling back into my mother tongue, may I introduce Fräulein Gabriele Münter,Gabriele, Dr. Alexandra Dadiani-Rost."Münter offered Alexandra her limp hand."Fräulein Münter is one of my most gifted students."Münter, eyeing Alexandra disdainfully, squeezed a sour smile from her thin mouth. She wore a shimmering, yellow silkblousewith wide angel-sleeves under a black, crocheted, wool dress girdled by a cummerbund. Maybe it was her poorlyshaped chin and her compressed lips, or her high, accusing eyebrows, pointed nose, and veiled gray-green eyes thatgave her a sheepish expression. Alexandra had the impression that Fräulein Münter would begin to cry any minute.An unhappy person in a state of perpetual jealousy. Not very bright, judged Alexandra.Kandinsky continued in German. "You must have obtained your medical degree in St. Petersburg. My compliments, agreat accomplishment for a young lady in Russia."Alexandra was fully aware of the impression she made on this Russian: a good-looking Georgian princess with a91