"Do you know, you have changed, Robby?" "No."
"Oh, yes.
You have admitted it.
You want.
You don't ask so much now.
You simply want."
"That's not such a very big change.
You can still say No, just the same, no matter how much I may want."
She suddenly leaned forward toward me.
"But why should I say No, Robby?" said she, in a warm, tender tone. "Of course I want it too."
Astonished, I put my arms about her.
Her hair brushed my face.
"Is that true, Pat?" "But yes, darling."
"Damn it," said I. "I imagined it would be much more difficult."
She shook her head.
"It all rests with you, Robby."
"I almost believe it," said I, surprised.
She put an arm around my neck.
"It is good, sometimes, not to have to think of anything.
Not to have to do everything yourself.
To be able to lean.
Ach, darling, it is all quite easy really—one must only not make it difficult oneself."
I had to shut my teeth not to reply.
That she of all people should say that.
"True," said I then, "true, Pat."
It was not true at all.
We stood awhile by the window.
"We'll bring all your things," said I. "You won't have to do without anything.
We can even get a tea trolley somewhere.
Frida will soon learn."
"But we have one, darling.
It belongs to me."
"So much the better.
I'll start training Frida to-mor row."
She rested her head against my shoulder.
I felt that she was tired.
"Shall I take you home now?" I asked.
"Soon.
I'll just lie down here a minute."
She lay quietly, without speaking, on the bed, as if she slept.
But her eyes were open and occasionally glinted in the light of the advertisement signs that rose up the walls and travelled over the bed-clothes like gay northern lights.
Outside all was still.
Next door one could hear now and then Hasse bumbling about amid the ruins of his hopes, his marriage, and perhaps even his life.
"You ought to stay here," said I.
She sat up.
"Not to-night, darling."
"I'd much rather you stayed."
"To-morrow."
She got up and moved lightly about the dark room.
I thought of the day when she stayed with me the first time and had gone just so quietly about the room dressing in the early morning light.