“And what is to become of us now?” said he, very low.
She did not answer him, but continued to gaze into the faintly glowing coals, and a tear slowly coursed down her pale, emaciated face.
“To-morrow we shall have to leave this house, for we are unable to pay, and then no other refuge is left us but the streets.”
“You must work, George,” replied the woman in a tear-choked voice, although she tried to infuse some energy into her tones.
“Have I not tried?” replied he, with a shrug. “But haven’t they dismissed me every time without warning? And besides, there is no use for my trying again. How can I work? I’ve never learned it.”
“But something must be done; we must find a way out of this,” Frau Leimann cried out, and her voice sounded shrill. “If you intend to leave me to misery, you ought not to have enticed me away from home.”
“Enticed?” Borgert mimicked her. “Who has enticed you? Was it not you who implored me to let you come with me because you were unable to endure any longer the life you were leading with your noble husband?”
“If I did so, you, as a man, ought to have had enough common-sense to talk me out of my intention.”
“I should like to know what man is able to talk an idea out of the head of a woman.”
“Do not speak this way, George; it is worse than frivolous. Summon all your courage and energy and let us see what can be done. There must be a remedy.”