"Do you know him?" asked Pilgrim.
"No."
"Nor I either," said Pilgrim. "That is odd! Who is the stranger?" he asked of the landlord.
"The brother of my son-in-law."
"Oho!" whispered Pilgrim in Lenz's ear; "now I remember; some one told me he was a suitor of Annele's."
He did not see the change these words wrought in his friend's countenance; for Lenz turned hastily away and ran up the steps before him.
CHAPTER X.
LENZ DINES WITH PETROVITSCH, AND IS KEPT WAITING
FOR THE SWEETS.
Petrovitsch had not yet come. As Lenz sat at his table waiting for him, Pilgrim and he fell into conversation with the hosts. Annele was strangely reserved to-day. She would not even shake hands with Lenz when he entered, but pretended to be busy with some household work. Her hand is promised, he thought; she can give it to no one now, even in greeting. At last his uncle arrived, or rather his forerunner in the shape of a mongrel cur, half terrier and half rat-catcher.
"Good day, Lenz!" said the surly voice of Petrovitsch, who followed behind the dog. "I expected you yesterday. Did you forget I had invited you?"