Who knows what the old devil may not have thought up in the meantime?"
"Home, Robby," said Pat and leaned wearily against my shoulder. "It is home for us."
I took one hand from the wheel and put it around her shoulders.
And so we drove slowly through the blue, misty twilight, and when at last we did sight the lighted windows of the little house, snuggled down in the hollow of the valley like some dark animal, there actually was something like homecoming about it.
Fraulein Muller was already expecting us.
She had changed her clothes and was now wearing instead of the black, woollen dress a black silk one of the same puritanical cut. And instead of the cross an emblem consisting of heart, anchor and cross in one—the ecclesiastical symbol of faith, hope, and love.
She was definitely more friendly than this afternoon and asked if she had done rightly in preparing for supper eggs, cold meat, and smoked fish.
"I suppose so," said I.
"Don't you like it?
They are quite fresh smoked flounders." She looked at me rather anxiously.
"Of course," said I coldly.
"Fresh smoked flounders sound wonderful," declared Pat, looking at me reproachfully. "A perfect supper, just what one would wish for the first day at the sea, Fraulein Muller.
And if there were some good hot tea with it—"
"Yes, certainly.
Real hot tea.
Gladly.
I'll have it all brought at once."
Relieved, Fraulein Muller rustled out hastily in her silk gown.
"Don't you really like fish?" asked Pat.
"Do I not?
And flounders!
I've been dreaming of them for days."
"Then why did you behave like that?
That is a bit steep!"
"I had to pay her back for her reception this afternoon, didn't I?" "Well I'm blowed!" Pat laughed. "Don't you ever let anyone off?
I had forgotten that long ago."
"I hadn't," said I. "I don't forget so lightly."
"Then you ought to," replied Pat.
The maid came with the tray.
The flounders had skins like yellow topazes and smelt wonderfully of the sea and smoke.
There were fresh prawns as well.
"I begin to forget," said I enthusiastically. "I observe besides that I have an enormous hunger."
"So have I.
But first give me, quickly, some hot tea.
It is queer, but I am freezing.
Yet it is quite warm still outside."
I looked at her.
She was pale, although she smiled.
"I don't say one word, mark you, about too long bathing," said I, and asked the maid: "Have you any rum?"
"What?"
"Rum.
A drink out of a bottle."
"Rum?"
"Yes."
"Eh?"
She gaped with her doughy, full moon face.
"Eh?" said she, once again.
"Good" I replied. "Never mind.
Good-bye.
God bless you."