"Yes, I know that."
"Well, then, we will not trouble you further. Probably you would prefer settling the account for this room. It is not much,--you have eaten nothing."
"Come, that is too mean of you!" Bertha here interposed. "Is my own child to pay for the shelter of this roof for one night? No, I will not have it. Gretel, do not listen to him,--you shall have something to eat, too, before you go. I am not quite such an unnatural mother. And now come, Meyer, you ought to be ashamed of playing such a disgraceful part."
And half angrily, half good-naturedly, she drew her smart husband from the room.
"O God, I thank thee!" cried Gretchen from the depths of her soul. Suddenly she paused, and reflected with evident hesitation and embarrassment. Hilsborn took her hand.
"Well, my dear little ward, will you not tell me what is troubling you?"
Gretchen blushed and still hesitated. At last she conquered herself, and confided this grief also to her faithful friend.
"It has just occurred to me that I am not sure that I have money enough to pay my travelling expenses. I have something with me that I can sell, but if it should not be enough!"
Hilsborn smiled. "Is that all? Oh, never mind that, I have enough for both of us."
Gretchen looked mortified. "But I cannot take it from you, certainly not."