“Well, I’ll have to thank him for that to-morrow, and, come to think of it, he is always very attentive to you. Where did he go afterwards; I never set eyes on him again the whole night.”
“He complained of a headache, and seemed to have had enough of the whole show. I suppose he went to bed long ago.”
“Why didn’t you offer him a cup of coffee?”
“But, Franz, what would the servants think if they heard me coming home with a gentleman so late at night? That would never do. Our maid, Marie, anyway, is listening and spying continually, and one has to take care not to let her hear things. I presume she has been telling tales out of school as it is.”
“Send her away then, if you have no confidence in her.”
“I would have done it long ago, but I can’t let her go until we have paid her wages. We’re several months behind with her.”
“Then pay her to-morrow.”
“What with? Have you any money?”
“I? What an idea. You know perfectly well that the few marks of my pay could never keep this household running. Hasn’t your mother sent the allowance this month?”
“No, she hasn’t anything to spare this time.”