"Incidentally, I still owe you money, don't I, and I'm almost glad of this. Exterior ties can preserve the life of inner bonds."

This book made me smile almost throughout. The humor in it is so soft and enjoyable, it doesn't take you hostage. It's like a light breeze. The inner and outer dialogues of Joseph Marti, the main character, reflects the little noodle in the human cavity that vacillates constantly between being content/dutiful/grateful/polite and being indignant/rebellious/proud/angry. The book essentially has no plot except for these tiny changes in mood, like the changes in weather, but oh is it well written, with such joy and lightness and humor. I love Robert Walser more with every passing book.

"Mercantile coups are, as a rule, most successful when they are initiated telephonically."