"Why not?" interposed Möllner, "if you think my hard head would prove a profitable subject."
"Your hard head! oh, how can you speak so? I should tremble to touch that head, lest Minerva should spring from it to punish me for my temerity."
Johannes smiled compassionately. "I cannot persuade you not to embarrass me with your exaggerated compliments. You know I am a blunt man, and cannot repay you in kind."
"How should you repay me? I only ask you to permit me to reverence you. What can the brook require from the mighty tree whose roots drink of its waters? Let my admiration flow on at your feet, and let your vigorous nature draw thence as much as it needs. There will always be enough for you,--the brook is inexhaustible."
Johannes was most disagreeably affected by this outburst. What could he reply, without either inspiring the unfortunate creature with false hopes or deeply offending her?
Her brother's voice relieved his embarrassment. They reached the house.
"Here they come!" Herbert cried to the others, who seemed to be waiting for them and were just taking their departure. They ascended the stairs, and Elsa put on her hat and shawl.
"Where have you been so long?" Herbert asked in a tone intentionally loud.
"Heavens! we fairly flew through the garden!" cried Elsa.
"Have you wings, then, Fräulein Elsa?" asked the young tutor.