"'Foreign countries! What does that mean?' I asked, as if I had not been an involuntary listener to the War Lord's speech.
"'Majesty's orders—it behoves subjects to obey, not to ask questions,' said Herr Braun, with unusual severity. 'To the point, sir, acting upon the War Lord's orders to entrust the business to expert hands, we have decided to turn over the job to you.'"
Franz stopped short, then burst out: "What am I doing, Frau Krupp? You just told me that you are not the head of the firm, and I am about to reveal matters of the gravest importance confided to my keeping. I made a mistake—I was led away by filial reverence for my benefactor's widow. Pray forget what I have said."
Franz was about to withdraw, when a voice outside called: "Mamma, can I come in?"
"You said good night once. I thought you were in bed and asleep, Bertha."
The door opened, and a hand rustled the portières.
"Are you alone?"
"Only Franz."
"Oh!"
Bertha's blonde head thrust itself through the centre of the curtains, while she paused on the threshold. Then a naked foot in a blue velvet slipper with a golden heel: a vision in floating white rushed in and nestled childishly at the Baroness's feet.