"I dare say he admired them."
"No, he used to break them ... on purpose. He ... he...."
"What, Ernst?"
"He used to throttle them. Hush! He used to wring their necks with his vile fingers."
Then he realized at length that he was saying too much and he gave a loud, kindly laugh:
"You don't believe that he used to throttle them. Well, at any rate, they're safer up there."
"At least, he can't break them."
"No. What's the matter with Addie? He's not looking well."
"Nothing. He's staying on to talk to you."
"Is there anything I can do for him?"