And, dropping into her chair, while Gerdy knelt before her in the folds of her white-tulle frock, she held the pale little face against her and compelled the child to speak, to speak....
"It's nothing," said Gerdy, through her sobs. "I didn't enjoy myself."
"You didn't? Why, what happened?"
"I hardly danced at all."
"Why not?"
"Mamma, it's better to tell you plainly. I'm so unhappy! It's about Johan...."
"Erzeele? Has he proposed to you?"
Gerdy shook her head:
"No, but...."
"But what?"