“Fräulein Fredrika does not say ‘auf wiedersehen,’” put in Lynn, anxious to turn the trend of the conversation.
“No,” responded the Doctor, with a smile. “She says: ‘You will come once again, yes? It would be most kind.’”
He imitated the tone and manner so exactly that Lynn laughed, but it was a hollow laugh, without mirth in it. “Do not misunderstand me,” said the Doctor, quickly; “it was not my intention to ridicule the Fräulein. She is a most estimable woman. Do you perhaps know her?” he asked of Margaret.
“I have not that pleasure,” she replied.
“She was not here when I first came,” the Doctor went on, “but Herr Kaufmann sent for her soon afterward. They are devoted to each other, and yet so unlike. You would have laughed to see Franz at work at his housekeeping, before she came.”
A shadow crossed Margaret’s face.
“I have often wondered,” she said, clearing her throat, “why men are not taught domestic tasks as well as women. It presupposes that they are never to be without the inevitable woman, yet many of them often are. A woman is trained to it in the smallest details, even though she has reason to suppose that she will always have servants to do it for her. Then why not a man?”
“A good idea, mother,” remarked Lynn. “To-morrow I shall take my first lesson in keeping house.”
“You?” she said fondly; “you? Why, Lynn! Lacking the others, you’ll always have me to do it for you.”