"We thought you had gone on a journey," said Bertha, the bolder of the two sisters.
"No, I have been all the time at home," answered Lenz.
"So have we," retorted Bertha. Lenz was silent.
"Are you engaged upon any new work?" asked Amanda.
"On a new and an old one too. Our work never ceases."
"Is not such constant labor a severe strain upon you?" Amanda asked again.
"Oh no; I don't know what I should do without it."
"You clockmakers," said Bertha, archly, "are like your clocks, always wound up."
"And you are a key to wind us up," replied Lenz, inconsiderately. It was not what he had meant to say; but the right words would not come.
"I am glad you pay her back in her own coin, Mr. Lenz," said Amanda. "Our ways part here; we must say good by."