"Of course she is somewhere, only she never is where she should be."
"I beg your pardon," said Aunt Rikchen, who just at that moment entered, and hastily went towards her place, stopping at the sideboard on her way, to busy herself over something else.
"Are we to sit down to supper to-night?" demanded Uncle Ernst.
"Directly--directly!" said Aunt Rikchen.
The large round table was only laid for four. Reinhold had hoped now to meet his cousin Philip, after whom he had not been able to make any inquiries during the first interchange of question and answer; so he asked now.
His question was addressed to Ferdinanda.
"Philip does not come often," she replied.
"Say, rather, that he never comes."
Reinhold gazed in astonishment at his uncle, who had said this with a displeased look, and in a harsh, stern voice; and he thought that he observed on the two women's faces an anxious, confused expression. He had unwittingly touched upon a string which sent a sharp discord through the whole family.
"This is a good beginning," thought Reinhold, as he seated himself between his uncle and aunt, with Ferdinanda opposite.