United States or Cambodia ? Vote for the TOP Country of the Week !
Whilst the Disagreeable Man was paying the reckoning, Frau Steinhart said in her most motherly tones: "Fräulein is a very dear young lady: Herr Allitsen has made a wise choice. He is betrothed at last!" The Disagreeable Man stopped counting out the money. "Stupid old Frau Steinhart!" he said good-naturedly. "People like myself don't get betrothed. We get buried instead!" "Na, na!" she answered.
Just as they were starting, Frau Steinhart whispered to Robert Allitsen: "It is a little disappointing to me, Herr Allitsen. I did so hope you were betrothed." August, the blue-spectacled driver, cracked his whip, and of the horses started homewards. For some time there was no conversation between the two occupants of the sledge.
And that was the end of the matter, for the word spread about that Herr Allitsen had arrived, and every one turned out to give the two guests greeting. Frau Steinhart smothered Bernardine with motherly tenderness, and whispered in her ear: "You are betrothed now, liebes Fräulein? Ach, I am sure of it."
He paid the bill, and then did something which rather astonished Frau Steinhart, and half convinced her. He took the bill to Bernardine, told her the amount of her share, and she repaid him then and there. There was a twinkle in her eye as she looked up at him. Then the composure of her features relaxed, and she laughed. He laughed too, but no comment was made upon the episode.
When he was paying the bill, Frau Steinhart, having given him the change, said coaxingly: "Last time, you and Fräulein each paid a share: to-day you pay all. Then perhaps you are betrothed at last, dear Herr Allitsen? Ach, how the old Hausfrau wishes you happiness! Who deserves to be happy, if it is not our dear Herr Allitsen?" "You have given me twenty centimes too much," he said quietly.
"What a thing to say and so unlike you too! No, but tell me!" "Well, I am telling you the truth," he replied. "If you won't believe me, ask Fräulein herself." "I have asked her," said Frau Steinhart, "and she told me to ask you." The Disagreeable Man was much amused. He had never thought of Bernardine in that way.
Then Frau Steinhart suddenly remembered that her guests needed some food, and Liza was despatched to her duties as cook; though it was some time before she could be induced to leave off looking at the photographs. "Take them with you, Liza," said the Disagreeable Man. "Then we shall get our meal all the quicker!" She ran off laughing, and finally Bernardine found herself alone with Catharina.
"We are just friends; and not always that either. We quarrel." "All lovers do that," persisted Frau Steinhart triumphantly. "Well, you ask him yourself," said Bernardine, much amused. She had never looked upon Robert Allitsen in that light before. "See, there he comes!" Bernardine was not present at the court martial, but this was what occurred.
The atmosphere was charged with optimism and enthusiasm and amongst all the speeches made, and they were many, not one bore any intimation of regret or of any desire to do other than march steadily ahead. Mr. Ignatz Steinhart, at the time manager of the Anglo-Californian Bank, careful, cautious, shrewd and a hard-headed financier, in his speech practically struck the keynote of the whole meeting.
Word Of The Day