He nodded, immediately pacified, and grandmamma changed the topic to household matters.
Towards sunset, when Leo mounted his mare, Hertha, watching him from the garden, felt all the annoyance and antagonism of the evening before awake in her again. She would have liked to throw herself on the grass and tear up the sod with her fingers.
It was true that he rode out in the direction of Wengern, but Hertha had little doubt that he intended to make a détour the quicker to reach the stream.
"Oh, if only I knew whether that could be so!" she thought, and gnashed her teeth.
Then she was seized with a brilliant idea.
Meta Podewyl, who had been transformed these four months into a sedate Frau von Sembritzky, used to be her confidential friend before her engagement. They had exchanged all sorts of promises and sealed their vow of friendship with endless kisses.
The first who, etc., should be the first to, etc.
But, as things had turned out, there had been no talk on either side of these promises being fulfilled, for the intimate relations between her and Meta had ceased, as most girls' friendships do in the early days of betrothal. And although she had followed the fortunate girl to the altar as her bridesmaid, she had long ago seemed to have vanished into an unknown far-away world to which she lacked a passport.
But now her happiness and peace of mind were at stake, and only Meta could help her.
In the evening, at bed-time, she said to Elly, "If I ask you to-morrow to drive over with me to see Meta, you must say 'No.' You understand?" The Mouse did not understand in the least, but submitted as usual with an inclination of her little fair head, and fell asleep.