"Then I don't like what you call praktisch."
"Neither do I. All the hideous things are praktisch—oil-cloth, black wall-papers, handkerchiefs a yard square, thick boots, ugly women—if ever you hear a woman praised as a praktische Frau, be sure she's frightful in every way—ugly and dull. The uglier she is the praktischer she is. Oh," said Trudi, casting up her eyes, "how terrible, how tragic, to be an ugly woman!" Then, bringing her gaze down again to Anna's face, she added, "My flat in Hanover is all pinks and blues—the most becoming rooms you can imagine. I look so nice in them."
"Pinks and blues? That is just what I want here. Can't I get any in Stralsund?"
Trudi was doubtful. She could not think it possible that anybody should ever get anything in Stralsund.
"But I must do my shopping there. I am in such a hurry. It would be dreadful to have to keep anyone waiting only because my house isn't ready."
"Well, we can try," said Trudi. "You will let me go with you, won't you?"
"I shall be more than grateful if you will come."
"What do you think if we went now?" suggested Trudi, always for prompt action, and quickly tired of sitting still. "My brother said I might drive into Stralsund to-day if I liked, and I have the cobs here now. Don't you think it would be a good thing, as you are in such a hurry?"
"Oh, a very good thing," exclaimed Anna. "How kind you are! You are sure it won't bore you frightfully?"
"Oh, not a bit. It will be rather amusing to go into those shops for once, and I shall like to feel that I have helped the good work on a little."