Oh, you are so silent about everything. You ought not to be.

Allmers.

Sit down there—and I will tell you about it.

Rita.

Yes, yes—tell me!

[She sits on the bench beside the summer-house.

Allmers.

I was alone up there, in the heart of the great mountains. I came to a wide, dreary mountain lake; and that lake I had to cross. But I could not—for there was neither a boat nor any one there.

Rita.

Well? And then?