Hermann pulled his cap from his blonde curls and, with blushing cheeks, grinned broadly.
"Needer," he answered. "I'm chust on my vay to de saloon." He twisted his cap between his awkward fingers. "I vanted only to ask you somesing, Katie."
"All right. Sit down an' ask it. You know Carrie. Don't mind her."
"Sure I know her, only——"
Carrie rose. She was aware of the pair's relations, and too firmly bound by East Side etiquette to think it well to make of herself that third person who constitutes a crowd.
"I've got to be going," she said.
"Don't you pay no attention to him," Katie objected. "Sit still. Have some coffee, Hermann-boy?"
But Hermann shook his head.
"No, thank you," he said. "I've got chust a minute."
"Then what was it you were wishin' to say?"