But George took his leave. Anna accompanied him, in spite of his slight remonstrance, into the hall and left the door half open—almost on purpose, so it struck George. "It's a pity we couldn't go on with our music any longer," she said.
"I'm sorry too, Fräulein Anna."
"I liked the song to-day even better than the first time, when I had to accompany myself, only it falls off a bit at the end.... I don't know how to express myself."
"Oh, I know what you mean, the end is conventional. I felt so too. I hope soon to be able to bring you something better than that, Fräulein Anna."
"But don't keep me waiting for it too long."
"I certainly won't. Goodbye, Fräulein Anna." They shook hands with each other and both smiled.
"Why didn't you come to Weissenfeld?" asked Anna lightly.
"I am really sorry, but just consider, Fräulein Anna, I could scarcely get in the mood for society of any kind this year, you can quite appreciate that."
Anna looked at him seriously. "Don't you think," she said, "that perhaps one might have been some help to you in bearing it?"
"There's a draught, Anna," called out Frau Rosner from inside.