When he was paying the bill, Frau Steinhart, having given him the change, said coaxingly: "Last time, you and Fraeulein each paid a share: to-day you pay all.

Then perhaps you are betrothed at last, dear Herr Allitsen?
Ach, how the old Hausfrau wishes you happiness! Who deserves to be happy, if it is not our dear Herr Allitsen ?" "You have given me twenty centimes too much," he said quietly.

"You have your head so full of other things that you cannot reckon properly." But seeing that she looked troubled lest she might have offended him, he added quickly: "When I am betrothed, good little old housemother, you shall be the first to know." And she had to be content with that.

She asked no more questions of either of them: but she was terribly disappointed.

There was something a little comical in her disappointment; but Robert Allitsen was not amused at it, as he had been on a former occasion.