"But, indeed, you are mistaken," said Lilly; nevertheless, she cast an anxious look at the clock.
Frau Jula, whom this did not escape, made a grimace,
"Directly there's a ring, I'll slip out through the next room, but by that time I shall have achieved my object, I hope.... You see, child"--she sank into the sofa-corner and drew Lilly down beside her--"we poor women have all longed to raise ourselves again, so long as we were pretty faithful to one person.... And then Dr. Salmoni enters. He has to angle longer for some of us than others, but he doesn't mind how cheaply he gets us. He has, too, various baits. For a cold-blooded lump like Karla he doesn't go the same way to work as with us, naturally. With us he begins in this way: 'My gracious one, I am always amazed to find you in such an environment as this. Tell me, what are you doing here?'"
Lilly looked startled.
"Well, was that it? or wasn't it?"
"Yes, but ..."
"It was. That's enough. Next comes his depicting of the dangers we encounter if we continue to live in bondage.... He is especially down on duty. Duty he can't tolerate; it is obnoxious to him. As if we were so terribly particular about our little bit of duty, forsooth! Now then, wasn't that it? Am I not right?"
"Yes, but ..." stammered Lilly.
"I thought so. And next he says he wants to set us free ... to lead us upwards on high. He is the personal conductor to the heights. Isn't it so?"
Lilly turned her head aside to conceal the blush of shame that suffused her neck and face.