Ships That Pass in the Night

dine's door. She opened it, and found Robert Alli

z, a village about twel

d a sledge. Do you

ay my share

pose you would like to be paid for any b

dine l

e start?"

ny fuss. We shall be out for the whole day. What about Mrs. Grundy? We could manage to take her if you wished, but she

t home," said Ber

they se

arted; and Bernardine leaned luxuriously back

hout any sensation of motion; the sleepy tinkling of the bells on

ter than any dream of whiteness, jewelled by the sunshine with priceless diamonds, numberless as the sands of the sea. The great pines bearing their burden of snow patiently; others, less patient, hav

nce, save for the tinkli

ants; some dark brown, almost black, betraying their age; others of a paler hue, showing that the sun had no

l whiteness may become monotonous after a time, but there is something v

de. Once or twice he bent forward to prote

Allitsen exchanged some fun and merriment with the drivers in their quaint blue smocks. The noise of th

e enjoyed anything

he said. "Do you mind talking a l

ine laughed and looked at her companion. His face wore an unus

d; "and tell me all

es. He was able to point out where some had fallen the previous year. He st

t. The sun is blazing to-day, and you will get your eyes bad if you are no

for you to make of

ou seem to have pulled yourself in too many directions for that. You have

," she said; "and I feel in a better frame of mind al

han I have done

u have taught me several things. Now, go on tell

ve been in this district so long now, and have walked about so much, that the ve

id Bernardine; "though I must say I cannot imagine

s ever been laid to my

ch young fresh laughter, that even August, the grave blue-spectacled driver, was moved to mirth. As for Bernardine, she had to look at Robert Allitsen several times to be sure that he was the same Ro

rnt chalet, with green shutters, and steps leading up to a green balcony. A fringe of sausages hung from the roof; red bedding was scorching in the sunshine; three cats were sunning

ked up as the sledge stopped before the Gasthaus; but the youn

aturally kind expression on her old face, but when she saw who the g

etired and

Liza, Trüdchen

ame back,

sen, what a

with motherly tenderness, and interspersed all her remarks

and excited, and ges

up. She had been beautiful, but her face was worn now, and h

ispered to Ro

e now; she sits th

into the ki

bent down to the young wo

a," he sa

n, and saw him, a

d face smil

what she had done, chatting to her quietly all the time. He asked her what

I am alway

iting. Allitsen remembered her as a bright young girl, singing in the Gasthaus, waiting cheerfully on the guests: a bright gracious presence. No one could cook tro

back her knitting, "do you remember

ed over her face.

cook me so

ad, and returned

e could not have believed that his manner could be so tend

e years ago, it was to Herr Allitsen we first told the good news. He has a wonderful way about him-ju

hel swung on her back. There was no shyness in their greeting; the Disagreeable Man was evidently an old and much-loved friend, and inspired confidence, not awe. Trüdchen fumbled in his coat pocket, and found what she expected to

shall have some mutton cutlets and some forellen.

to Hans," Liza

agreeable Man. "He is a good fellow, Liza, and I'm

for him," Liz

-day?" Robert

nod

ake your photog

, Catharina rose from her se

her, and watched her

ok the forellen," sh

anything in the house. The old

she whispered; and she gathered th

to their meal. Robert Allitsen had ordered a bottle of Sassella, an

cooked them? Then they will be good!" She smiled,

with such kindness and sympathy that Bernardine

athy which I could not resent. In those days I was suffering more than I have done for a long time now, and she was very pitiful. She could not bear to hear me cough. I u

her hair in some wonderful way. But he would not hear of such a thing. But seeing that she looked disappointed, he gave in, and said she should be photographed just as she wished; and off s

e Man grunted,

both stood perfectly straight, just as a soldier stands before presenting arms.

py!" he e

d an expression of melancholy which was too much for

iza, for goodness' sake look as though you were baking the bread; and H

ar at their ease. And then he told Liza that she must go and change her dress, and be photographed

picturesque group of them all: Hans and Liza sitting side by side on the timber, the horses standing there so patie

mance was over. "Now I am going for about a mile's walk. Will you come with me

absence was shown the treasures and p

oked at the spinning-wheel, and watched the old Hausfrau turn the treadle. And so the time passed, Bernardine making, good friends of them all. Catharina had returned to her knitting, and began working, and, as b

," she said tenderly. "

take care

past. She had always loved every

ressed it in kindly sympathy, thinking the while o

ough to herself. "They don't tell me

g. And that was all

r a pause

n is bet

from her work from time to time, and seemed pleased that Bernardine still stayed with her. At last

ing the coffee, and finally

she said. "He has always been alone. Fr?ulein is betrothed to Herr

opped drinkin

cheerily. "We are just friends; and

" persisted Frau Ste

uch amused. She had never looked upon Robert All

as what occurred. Whilst the Disagreeable Man was paying th

dy: Herr Allitsen has made a wise

Man stopped count

od-naturedly. "People like myself don't

. "What a thing to say

ut te

h," he replied. "If you won't be

d Frau Steinhart, "and

h amused. He had never thoug

hen did something which

and half co

old her the amount of her share,

looked up at him. Then the composure o

on the episode. Then began the goodbyes, a

er Catharina, and

ome again?" she

rnardine's manner which had won the poor girl's fa

ng, Frau Steinhart whisp

g to me, Herr Allitsen. I di

iver, cracked his whip, and of

out the experiences of the day, and the Disagreeable Man seemed in a brown study. At last he broke the silence by

once, and said

n extra coat. Put it on; don't make a fuss but d

was all the cosier for

he said hal

for my betrothed. I ho

only amused, because there never were two

e replied, in a tone of vo

in the matter," she added wishing to put him quite at his ease. "I'

d really praise his companion. "Although you have read so much, you seem to me sometimes to take a sensible view of things. Now, I don't want to be betrothed to yo

njoyed my day very much, and I'm much obliged to you for your companionshi

s characteri

le day I have spent for man

ow," she said, drawing out her purse, ju

oney matters,

e sledge, and he stooped to

her cold, aren't you? Here, come to the restaurant and have some

ched by his rough kindness. He himself

nished his dinner, he rose to go to his room as usual. He

companionship. It has been my birthd