"She sat down before the stove and began to take off the
little red flannel frock."
"Ask if I may come in, Johanna," said Linden. And the next moment he had entered behind the woman.
A flush of embarrassment came over the young girl's face, but she frankly extended her hand. "I am glad to see you, Mr. Linden--mamma was very sorry that she could not receive you this afternoon. You--"
He bowed. Then she belonged to one of the houses where he had called to-day. But to which one?
"Do you know, I never knew till to-day that you were living in the neighborhood," she continued brightly. "I was standing in our bow-window when you came across the square, and saw you inquiring for our house."
"Then I have the honor to see Miss Baumhagen?" he asked, somewhat disturbed by this information.
"Gertrude Baumhagen," she replied. "Why do you look so surprised?"
With these words she took her cloak from the nearest chair, put a small fur cap on her brown hair and took up her muff.
"I must go now, Johanna, but I will send the doctor to-morrow for the baby. You must not let things go so,--you must take better care or else he may have weak eyes all his life."