"Perhaps."
"Then I shall be very glad to help. You must ask me straight out."
"I will."
"Look here ... you must be careful...."
"Of what?"
"Of the brother.... The fellow's a scoundrel. Take care, don't speak too loud: he's standing behind the door. You see, he can't reach so high."
"What do you mean?"
"He can't reach up to my poor vases. He would have to take the steps ... and he won't do that in a hurry."
"What used he to do to the vases, Ernst?"
"Take them in his hands."