"Is that so? And I had just hoped to learn so much from you concerning that. It occupies me all day long. Even now I have a hundred questions ready, for you. I had put all my trust in you."
"In what faith were you brought up, Elsie?
"Brought up? I wasn't brought up. I must make another confession to you?"
I saw that she hesitated and was troubled. I began to fear some unpleasant secret or other.
"Speak without fear, Elsie. It is safe with me. Trust me."
"That I would like to, but see, I know you are a distinguished man of noble birth."
"That signifies nothing, Elsje - I am not so proud of that."
I was joking, but she understood me.
"No, you are not proud, but still you have assurance. That I have not.
Do you know how I got my name?"
"Well?"