Cold Heart

“Whoever travels through Swabia must never forget—at least for a while—to look into the Schwarzwald. Not because of the trees, although you won’t find such an endless number of magnificent giant firs everywhere, but because of the people—remarkably different from the rest of the district’s population. They are taller than average, broad-shouldered, with strong muscles. And the reason for this is nothing other than the strengthening scent that drifts from the firs every morning; when they were young, it rewarded them with healthier lungs, clearer eyes, and a character firm and courageous—though perhaps coarser than that of people from river valleys and plains. They differ sharply from those who don’t live in the forest—not only in posture and height, but also in customs and clothing….”