“No, only thinking.”
“Were you meditating on your coming address?”
“No, I am thinking—for a wonder—of myself. I am putting Franka Garlett timid questions and she is answering them hesitatingly.”
“Might one know what the subject of this interesting inquisition is?”
“It is too vague to be expressed in words.”
“Yet I think I can imagine: the first question put by the inquisitor to the victim runs: ‘Confess! how did yesterday’s prince please you?’”
“You think so, do you?” She shook her head, laughing; “you are on the wrong track.”
“Indeed! Then, perhaps....”
“Please do not you take upon yourself the office of investigator.... Instead, please go on writing your ‘cordial greetings from Lucerne’ and let me think for a while longer.”
“Very well; I must post a dozen or more cards before the mail is collected.”