beauty. Gertrude did not answer him and without a word led
him across the street to the stone steps of her father’s house.
‘‘ I live here, ’ ’ she said finally. ‘‘ If you will allow me to pre
sent you to my father, he will be pleased to have you dine with
him.” Before Arnold had time to answer her, her father appeared
in the door-way and cried:
“ Why, Gertrude, you stayed rather long today. Who is the
handsome, young man whom you have brought with you?”
“My dear sir— ”
“ No ceremonies on the stairs; come in before the dinner be
comes cold. ’ ’
“ But he is not Heinrich !” exclaimed the old woman who at
this moment had looked out of the window. “Didn’t I always
say that he would never return ?’ ’
“ Hush, mother,” said the mayor as he grasped the hand of
the young man and bid him welcome, without allowing him to
continue his apologies. He then took the young man by the arm
and led him into the sitting-room.
The narrow hall through which he led the way was far from
inviting in appearance. In a number of places the plaster had
fallen from the walls and had been hastily swept into the corners.
It was dimly lighted by a small window in the rear and it was
pervaded by a damp, earthy odor. Arnold had very little time
to make observations for the mayor at this moment threw open
the door of a large, airy room whose cleanliness and sanded floor
were a decided contrast to the hall. A large table covered with
snow-white linen stood in the middle of the room. Besides the
old woman he had seen at the window, he found in the room two
red-cheeked boys and a younger woman, who wore a costume en
tirely different from those worn by the women of the neighboring
villages.
A maid soon brought in the dinner and all drew their chairs up
to the table but they remained standing, the children looking
anxiously at their father who leaned on his chair and stared
silently and gloomily before him. Was he praying? Arnold
saw that his lips were pressed firmly together and that his right
hand hung at his side; —surely this was not an attitude for prayer.
Gertrude laid her hand softly upon his shoulder and the old woman,
who stood silently opposite him, looked at him Beseechingly.
“ Bet us eat! ” he exclaimed harshly, as he nodded to his guest