"Well," said Anna, who felt perfectly at her ease with this member of her trio, "are you happy?"
Fräulein Kuhräuber blushed, and beamed more than ever. She was far less shy of Anna than she was of those two terrible adelige Damen, her travelling companions; but at no time had she had much conversation. Hers had been a ruminative existence, for its uncertainty but rarely disturbed her. Had she not an excellent digestion, and a fixed belief that the righteous, of whom she was one, would never be forsaken? And are not these the primary conditions of happiness? Indeed, if everything else is wanting, these two ingredients by themselves are sufficient for the concoction of a very palatable life.
"You have found an interesting book already?" Anna asked, pleased that the literature chosen with such care should have met with instant appreciation. She took it up to see what it was, but put it down again hastily, for it was the cookery book.
"I read much," observed Fräulein Kuhräuber.
"Yes?" said Anna, a flicker of hope reviving in her heart. Perhaps the cookery book was an accident.
"I know by heart more than a hundred recipes for sweet dishes alone."
"Really?" said Anna, the flicker expiring.
"So you can have an idea of the number of books I have read."
"Here are a great many more for you to read."
"Ach ja, ach ja," said Fräulein Kuhräuber, glancing doubtfully at the shelves; "but one must not waste too much time over it—there are other things in life. I read only useful books."