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"Zimmer," repeated she, placing the accent strongly on the "Z"; and so the lesson went on. Suddenly a smile of joy spread itself over Poons's features. In searching for his handkerchief he had fished out a piece of paper from his hip-pocket. Joy! it was the lost declaration of dependence!
I'll be worried to death till he comes back," and Miss Husted pressed Skippy more closely to her and went down stairs again; not, however, without first sending Jenny to the floor below, out of the reach of Poons's love-making eyes. "It is true; he has gone out," said Pinac dolefully, as he looked out of the window at the blizzard.
Poons's explanation to them was nearly as lucid as his previous effort to enlighten Miss Husted. He threw his arms around their necks and kissed them on both cheeks and danced them around the room.
"Well, that's conclusive, isn't it?" asked Von Barwig grimly as soon as Poons finished reading. Poons's voice failed him. Hot, scalding tears were fairly raining down his cheeks as the letter fell out of his trembling hands and fluttered to the floor. "Well, what's to be done; what's to be done?" "Then she has gone?" Von Barwig nodded. "I suppose so!
As Von Barwig stood waiting for Poons to enter with him, he noticed Poons's outstretched hand. "Aren't you coming in?" he asked. Poons shook his head. "I'd better not," he said simply. "Why not?" asked Von Barwig. "Because," Poons faltered. He did not want to tell his friend that at such times as these it is better for a man to be alone with his thoughts.
Poons's reply was a torrent of burning love, a flood of words that let loose the pent-up emotion of a highly strung musical temperament that for months had longed for utterance. The way he poured out the German language surprised both his hearers; it seemed as if he could not restrain himself.
He listened intently; but hearing nothing, closed the door quietly, and somewhat to Poons's alarm turned the key in the lock. "Now tell me," he demanded, in a voice that was as strange as it was determined; "what do you know? Sit down." This last was a direct command. Poons felt that nothing was to be gained by silence.
"She's all I have, all; she's all I want. I won't go to-night, I won't leave her, do you hear? Let Ruhlmeyer conduct to-night. I can't go, I can't leave her alone! Suppose something were to happen to her?" "But you must go!" said Poons firmly; desperation had given him courage. "You must go!" Von Barwig looked at him in surprise; Poons's tone sobered him a little.
He pointed to Miss Husted and tried to kiss her again, just to show his friends the relationship between them, but that good lady had had enough of Poons's osculatory manifestations and indignantly threatened to slap him again if he tried to carry on with her! Jenny joined them and there was more explaining and still more kissing.
They walked on in silence, whither neither of them knew. It was now Poons's turn to walk faster than his companion and to mutter to himself. His face had lost its grin, and he was no longer conscious of his immediate surroundings. After they had passed Auerbach's cellar he could contain himself no longer, and an explosion took place.
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