“A mithewable boy, thith fellow Wumpf,” he murmured, “but I half believe I could win him by gentler methodth more weadily than I can by severity. I will make one more attempt to appeal to hith conscienthe. It ith a pity to let him go on like thith. He ith one of my motht gifted pupilth!”
He touched the bell.
After two minutes Annie appeared, Inaddler’s daughter. She was evidently about to go out, for a tiny hat surmounted by feathers was perched jauntily upon her curly head.
“What can I do for you, Herr Professor?” she asked with a dainty curtsey.
“Where is your father?” whispered Samuel, with a remarkably pure pronunciation for him.
“He is papering. Is there anything you wish him to do, Herr Professor?”
“Ah, he ith papawing. Well, then, I will not dithturb him. It ith of no consequenth, Annie; I dare thay the key is on the cawcer?”
“I will run and ask, Herr Professor.”
She ran down the stairs like a deer, and was back in a few seconds.
“Yes, sir; the keys are on the hall door as well as on the cell. Is there anything else?”