"In a minute. We haven't welcomed each other at all so far." He embraced and kissed her.
"It is a long time since——" she said, smiling past him.
"Well?" he asked keenly, "are you coming with me?"
Anna hesitated. "But what do you really think of doing, George?"
"Quite simple. We can go away to-morrow afternoon. You can choose the place. Reichenau, Semmering, Brühl, anywhere you like.... And I'll bring you back in the morning the day after to-morrow." Something or other kept him back from mentioning the telegram which gave him three whole days to do what he liked with.
Anna looked in front of her. "It would be very nice," she said tonelessly, "but it really won't be possible, George."
"On account of your father?"
She nodded.
"But he is surely better, isn't he?"
"No, he is not at all well. He is so weak. They wouldn't of course reproach me directly in any way. But I ... I can't leave mother alone now, for that kind of excursion."