“It was good of you to come to Bellvieu, Herr. I feel that I should have gone to your studio.”
“Ah! Don’t mention dat. I—”
“But I am much younger than you. I can afford to exercise myself a little if it will save you trouble.”
“You are younger, yes. Yet, I am not as old in body as in looks. I valk pretty straight, yet, eh, Miss Dorothy?” and laughing, he chucked her playfully under the chin.
“You walk with military precision, Herr, except on a few occasions when you forget yourself. Then I have noticed a slight stoop to the shoulders,” she replied.
“Ah, vhen I forget myself, yes—und I fear dat is very often, eh?”
“No, no; I think you do remarkably well.”
“Do you, really? Dat iss very nice of you to say. If you vill pay me all de time such compliments, I t’ink you need not come to my studio at all. I vill be happy to come to your great home, here.” He looked out through the window, where the magnificent sweep of lawn, with its flowers, trees and hedges, made a pretty picture. “It iss beautiful—beautiful!”
While they were talking Aunt Betty, attired in a charming morning gown, well-becoming to one of her age, entered the room.
Herr Deichenberg arose with a broad smile to greet her.