This Month's Installation
What's italicized is what I'm unsure about.
For a moment, Hans stood hesitating at the door. He could not see this scene without being moved: these two old men, whom life had otherwise taken hold of with such a gentle hand, had surrounded with all amenities and spoiled with all comforts, who, as far as he could think, had not yet gone through anything really difficult. And now even them driven out of their home,---182---alone and without help here abroad on the road!And around them all the tables were densely occupied with other East-Prussian owners from the surrounding area, old and young with women and children; at several were also individual ladies, whose husbands probably remained at home or had gone into the field. He knew a few of them, but he had always seen them in fresh activities or in happy circles. Now they sat next to each other silently and lookt in front of themselves just as despondent and defeated as the old Bärwalder. And yet they felt that they belonged together, one firmly rooted with the other as never before in life. For the same fate united all of them. He must think about the Reckensteiner. He no longer felt sorry for him; the lot had fallen more pleasantly for him than for these here."That is indeed Hans!" the privy councillor said suddenly, stood up, and went a few steps towards the one coming in. "Good that you came, dear boy, we have been waiting for you. But haven't you brought Else with?""I haven't spoken to her anymore; I just had a meeting in the town hall; but I believe she will be expecting you with us at home. You will surely eat with us, can even stay with us. In such a time, one gladly makes do, and we can manage room, despite a refugee family that we have taken in.""Very friendly, my good Hans, but we will calmly stay here. I am glad that I have gotten Hermann so far; the move would be nothing for him; he is not allowed to come out of his habit. It has hit him hard, very hard."
Grammatial Minutiae/Commentary
In the original text, the phrase "had surrounded with all amenities and spoiled with all comforts" is "mit aller Annehmlichkeit umgeben und aller Behaglichkeit verwöhnt hatte." I think it may be significant that the central phrases "Annehmlichkeit umgeben" and "Behaglichkeit verwöhnt" contain words that start with letters at opposite ends of the alphabet (A to U and B to V). This gives a sense of the range of the two "all"s.
The description "in frohen Kreise" ("in happy circles") may be intended to refer to the beginning of the novel; the third paragraph begins "Klein war der Kreis der Geladenen" ("small was the circle of those invited"). Using the same word heightens the sense of contrast between the despondent refugees here and the celebratory atmosphere of Edith's birthday party at the beginning of the story.
