A sudden expression of alarm flitted into her eyes, was banished. She nodded her head.
“Ja—ja, mein Herr,” she answered hesitatingly. She moistened her lips. Her hands gripped each other tightly upon her lap.
The battalion-commander and the captain observed her with a quickened interest. Despite their ignorance of German, the word “Porzelän” gave them the clue to their comrade’s opening question.
“It is the result of many years’ gradual acquisition, I presume?” he pursued, in a casual tone.
She shot an upward glance at him from under her eyebrows ere she replied.
“Ja—mein Herr.”
“It is well chosen,” said the doctor. “I congratulate you on your knowledge and good taste. Perhaps you would explain some of the pieces to us—pieces I do not recognize?”
She looked up at him with wide and innocent eyes.
“I cannot, mein Herr. I know nothing about porcelain. It was my husband’s collection. I keep it in memory of him.”