I searched my memory to
recognize the knob, failed utterly and said again, this
time with mingled curiosity and hospitality:
"Won't you come in?"
The apparently bodiless head thrust itself forward a
bit, disclosing an apologetically smiling face, with high
check bones that glistened with friendliness and
scrubbing.
"Nabben', Fraulein," said the head.
"Nabben'," I replied, more mystified than ever.
"Howdy do! Is there anything--"
The head thrust itself forward still more, showing a
pair of plump shoulders as its support. Then the plump
shoulders heaved into the room, disclosing a stout,
starched gingham body.
"Ich bin Frau Knapf," announced the beaming vision.
Now up to this time Frau Knapf had maintained a Mrs.
Harris-like mysteriousness. I had heard rumors of her,
and I had partaken of certain crispy dishes of German
extraction, reported to have come from her deft hands,
but I had not even caught a glimpse of her skirts
whisking around a corner.
Therefore: "Frau Knapf!" I repeated. "Nonsense!
There ain't no sich person--that is, I'm glad to see you.
Won't you come in and sit down?"
"Ach, no!" smiled the substantial Frau Knapf,
clinging tightly to the door knob.
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