"She nodded. 'On Monday,' she replied, 'and in the day-time. Susanna wishes a great festivity.'
"'Well, Brockelmann will be in despair!' I cried; 'and Klaus will not be exactly enchanted. But what is he to do?'
"'What is he to do?' asked Anna Maria, in astonishment. 'He is to exercise his authority as her husband, and say "No!" Great heavens! has she entrapped you all together, that you still do what she wishes?' She had sprung up. 'Everything, everything here dances as she pipes, even Brockelmann. She has trained you all like poodles; you do beautifully, if she only raises a finger!'
"'Anna Maria,' I begged, 'do not be so angry right away; she is still ill, and she——'
"'No, no,' cried the girl, 'it is dreadful here! What has become of Bütze, our dear old Bütze? Where now are order and regularity? Everything goes topsy-turvy, and things run over each other in order that the gracious Frau need not wait. Whether or not the master of the house gets his dues, or the servants theirs, is of no consequence, if only madame smiles and is friendly. I wish I had never come back!'
"'Anna Maria,' said I, 'are these your good resolutions?'
"'Oh, have no fear,' she replied, her lips quivering. 'I have repented bitterly enough letting myself be carried away once; I shall not do so again. But in my father-house I shall not stay; the torment would be greater than I should be able to bear.'
"She went to the window and looked out. Klaus was just riding in at the gate; he had probably been in the fields. His eyes sped to the ground-floor, and he kissed his hand up there. 'Susanna is standing at the window with the child,' thought I.
"'Klaus looks fatigued,' remarked Anna Maria. 'Is he well all the time?'
"'I think so,' I replied; 'at least, I do not remember his having complained.'