We will keep to the past." His companion met this resolution halfway; for before she had dealt the last two rows, she rested her chin on the cards in her hands and, trying to meet his glance, asked: "How shall we begin?
Do you still remember your childhood ?" "Certainly." "Your father ?" "I have not seen him for a long time.

Don't the cards tell you, that he is dead ?" "Dead, dead:--of course he's dead.

You had a mother too ?" "Yes, yes," he answered impatiently; for he was unwilling to talk with this woman about his mother.
She shrank back a little, and said sadly: "That sounds very harsh.

Do you no longer like to think of your mother ?" "What is that to you ?" "I must know." "No, what concerns my mother is...

I will--is too good for juggling." "Oh," she said, looking at him with a glance from which he shrank.