"Where is your native place?" asked Elise, her curiosity aroused.
"A long distance from here—Prussia. Have you ever heard of that country?"
"Yes."
"We are most of us against the Republic—there," said he. "I am, for one," and he looked at her out of the corner of his eyes. She made no reply. "Let me carry your cheeses," he said, laying his hand upon the bucket.
"They are not heavy," said Elise, "and I must hurry home."
"All ways are the same to me and I will go along with you," he said, taking the bucket from her. "It's heavy for you."
"It's no burden for me, and as I don't know you I prefer to go home by myself," she said frankly.
"Oh, I'm a merry fellow—you need not fear me. I am your friend."
"I have no way of being sure of that," was the reply, "though you don't look as if you could be an enemy."
"I should be glad for an opportunity to prove myself your friend. And I could prove that I am no stranger by telling you a good deal about yourself and your brother Paul."