Part 45 (1/2)

”And what shall we bet?”

”We shall think of something.”

”Very well. But I only have to guess right three times, and if I say nothing it doesn't count.”

”I am satisfied.”

And so they all three listened, and Frau Dorr, who grew more excited every minute, swore by all that was holy that her heart was throbbing and that she felt just as if she were sitting before the curtain at the theatre. ”Lena, Lena, you have undertaken too much, child; it really is not possible.”

And so she would have continued, if they had not just then heard a ball hit and after one dull blow come to rest against the side guard.

”Missed,” cried Lena. And this was actually the case.

”That was easy, too easy,” said Botho. ”I could have guessed that myself. Let us see what happens next.”

And then, two more strokes followed, without Lena speaking or moving.

But Frau Dorr's eyes seemed to pop out of her head more and more. But now, Lena rose at once from her place, there came a small, hard ball and one could hear it dance, vibrating over the board with a tone in which elasticity and hardness were curiously mingled. ”All nine,” said Lena. And in a moment the falling of the ninepins was heard and the attendant only confirmed what scarcely needed confirmation.

”You have won, Lena. We must eat a philopena to-day and then we'll call it square. Isn't that right, Frau Dorr?”

”Why certainly,” said Frau Dorr winking. ”It is all square.” And so saying, she took her hat off and began to swing it about as if it had been her market hat.

Meanwhile the sun had gone down behind the Wilmersdorf church tower and Lena proposed to start for home, ”it was growing so chilly; but on the way they would play tag: she was sure that Botho could not catch her.”

”We shall soon see.”

And now they began chasing and running, and Lena actually could not be caught until at last she was so weak with laughter and excitement that she took refuge behind the substantial form of Frau Dorr.

”Now I have a tree to dodge around,” she laughed, ”and so you'll never catch me.” And thereupon she took hold of Frau Dorr's rather loose jacket and pushed the good woman so cleverly to the left and right, that she protected herself for quite a while. But suddenly Botho was beside her and caught her and gave her a kiss.

”That is against the rules; we had not agreed on anything.” But despite this protest she hung on his arm and commanded, imitating the harsh voice of the guard, ”Forward march ... double quick,” and enjoying Frau Dorr's endless exclamations of admiration wherewith the good woman accompanied the game.

”Is it believable?” said she. ”No, one can hardly believe it. And always just like this. And when I think of mine! It is unbelievable, I say. And yet he was a man too. And he always behaved so!”

”What in the world is she talking about?” asked Botho softly.

”Oh she is just thinking.... But you know all about it.... I told you about it before.”

”Oh, so that is it. Well, he can't have been so very bad.”

”Who knows? For that matter, one is about the same as another.”

”Do you think so?”

”No.” And she shook her head while her eyes shone with a soft and tender expression. But she would not let this mood get the upper hand of her and so she said quickly: ”Let us sing, Frau Dorr. Let us sing.

But what shall we sing?”

”'Rosy dawn' ...”