"How delightful of you," said Axel to her in English.
"I am glad to hear," she replied stiffly in German, for she was still angry with him because of Letty's hair, "I am glad to hear that you will have no losses from this."
"Losses!" cried Manske. "On the contrary, it is the best thing that could happen—the very best thing. Those stables have long been almost unfit for use, Herr von Lohm, and I can say from my heart that I was glad to see them go. They were all to pieces even in your father's time."
"Yes, they ought to have been rebuilt long ago, but one has not always the money in one's pocket. Help yourself, my dear pastor."
"Who is the enemy?" broke in Dellwig's harsh voice.
"Ah, who indeed?" said Manske, looking sad. "That is the melancholy side of the affair—that someone, presumably of my parish, should commit such a crime."
"He has done me a great service, anyhow," said Axel, filling the glasses.
"He has imperilled his immortal soul," said Manske.
"Have you such an enemy?" asked Anna, surprised.
"I did not know it. Most likely it was some poor, half-witted devil, or perhaps—perhaps a child."