'It cannot be permitted!' said Herr Wyburg, emphatically, and with knitted brows, as he interposed.
'Why?'
'The Herr Sleath has forbidden such; moreover, it is not safe!'
'Not safe in the streets of Hamburg?' questioned Ellinor, while tears started to her eyes. 'I am not a child!'
'Then why?'
There were disturbances abroad, he told her trade-union mobs were about, and the uhlans from the Dammthor were patrolling the streets with lance and carbine.
This was not true, but Ellinor was compelled to believe it, and relinquished the attempt with a sigh of bitterness and disappointment.
Lenchen daily brought her fresh flowers from market, as she said, by order of Herr Sleet.
The latter had often heard Ellinor say at Birkwoodbrae that she was never dull or lonely if she only had flowers about her.
But his gifts of flowers were unheeded now, she loathed them as if their petals exhaled not fragrance but poison.