"Ah, one must be happy with nothing to do."
"Then you have the ambition common to all; to sit around and let others wait upon you?"
"No, that is not my ambition. I wish only to wait upon my own desires and not those of the—the others."
"It is all the same," said I. "Some must serve, others must be served."
When I went upstairs to my room it was my belief that a week or so at the inn would not hang heavy on my hands. I had forgotten for the moment the Princess, or that I was hunting for Hillars. It is strange how a face may upset one's plans. Gretchen's likeness to Phyllis, whom I loved, upset mine for many days to come.
As I gazed from my window the next morning I beheld the old innkeeper and Gretchen engaged in earnest conversation. He appeared to be pleading, nay, entreating, while she merely shook her head and laughed. Finally the old man lifted his hands to heaven and disappeared around the wing. When I came down Gretchen was in the gardens culling roses. She said they were for the table.
"Very well," said I; "give me one now."
"You may have them all at the table."
"But I shall not want them then."
She gave me an enigmatical glance, then cut a rose for me which was withered and worm-eaten.