With a triumphant face as if she wanted to say, "Just look whom I bring you here," Maezli stood on the threshhold leading Apollonie in.

The latter hastily retreated.
"No, no, Maezli," she said quite frightened, "you should have told me that there was company." Mrs.Knippel had risen to take her departure: "It seems to me that other visitors are greeted very joyfully by your children.

Well, I must say they have rather odd tastes," she said, walking towards the door.
"Apollonie is a very old friend of ours.

All the children love her very much.

They may have inherited this attachment, though," Mrs.Maxa replied with a smile.
"I only want to say one more word," said the lady turning round before stepping outside the door.