"A tiny apartment we have taken," said Frau
Nirlanger, softly. "It is better so. Then I shall have
a little housework, a little cooking, a little marketing
to keep me busy and perhaps happy." Her hand closed over
mine. "But that shall us not separate," she pleaded.
"Without you to make me sometimes laugh what should I
then do? You will bring her often to our little
apartment, not?" she went on, turning appealingly to Von
Gerhard.
"As often as Mrs. Orme will allow me," he answered.
"Ach, yes. So lonely I shall be. You do not know
what she has been to me, this Dawn. She is brave for
two. Always laughing she is, and merry, nicht wahr?
Meine kleine Soldatin, I call her.
"Soldatin, eh?" mused Von Gerhard. "Our little
soldier. She is well named. And her battles she fights
alone. But quite alone." His eyes, as they looked down
on me from his great height had that in them which sent
the blood rushing and tingling to my finger-tips. I
brought my hand to my head in stiff military salute.
"Inspection satisfactory, sir?"
He laughed a rueful little laugh. "Eminently. Aber
ganz befriedigend."
He was very tall, and straight and good to look at as
he stood there in the hall with the light from the
newel-post illuminating his features and emphasizing his
blondness.
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