"Nothing at all. What should she say?"
It was Fräulein Kuhräuber's coming that had more particularly occasioned the pursing of the princess's lips.
"I know some Elmreichs," said Axel. "A few of them are respectable; but one branch at least of the family is completely demoralised. A Baron Elmreich shot himself last year because he had been caught cheating at cards. And one of his sisters—oh, well, some of them are harmless, I believe."
"Thank you."
"You are angry with me?"
"Very."
"And why?"
"You want to prejudice me against these poor things. They can't help what distant relations do. They will get away from them in my house, at least, and have peace."
"Miss Letty, is your aunt often—what is the word—so fractious?"
"Oh, I don't know," said Letty, who found it dull waiting in silence while other people talked. "It's breakfast time, you know, and people can't stand much just about then."