"Good gracious, yes, he has his whims--one has to put up with them," declared her sister,
"Pray don't quarrel to-day," said Mrs. Baumhagen, taking her eye-glass from her snub-nose; "besides I will write the letter. It is for that I am your mother." She sighed.
"But in this matter I think Jenny is right. Gertrude, you take far too ideal views of the world. We have all seen to what such ideas lead." Another sigh. "I will not try to persuade you, I did not say anything to influence Jenny; you both know that very well. For my own part I have nothing against this Mr. Mr.--Mr.--" the name did not occur to her at once.
The young girl laughed, but her eyes looked scornful. "His address is given with great distinctness in the letter," she said.
"There is no great hurry, I suppose," continued her mother. "I have my whist-party this evening; if I am not there punctually I must pay a fine; besides, I don't feel like writing." She yawned slightly.
"The evenings are getting very long now--did you know, Jenny, that an opera troupe is coming here?"
Jenny answered in the affirmative, and added that she must go and dress.
"Good night," she cried, merrily, from the door; "we shall not meet again to-day."
"Good night, mamma," said Gertrude also.
"Are you going down to Jenny?" asked Mrs. Baumhagen.