"I read the papers.

I always look with fear upon one of those men who can do so much good, and yet who would do so much evil." I had never looked at it in that light before.
"It seems to me, Gretchen," I said quietly, "that you are about as much a barmaid as I am a weeder of knoblauches." The color of excitement fled from Gretchen's cheeks, her eyes grew troubled and she looked away.
"Gretchen has a secret," said I.

"It is nothing to me what Gretchen's secret is; I shall respect it, and continue to think of her only as a barmaid with--with a superior education." I shouldered the hoe.
"Come, let us go back; I'm thirsty." "Thank you, Herr," was the soft reply.

Then Gretchen became as dumb, and our return to the inn was made in silence.

Once there, however, she recovered.