"Songs without words, so to speak," added Herr Martin.

The others laughed. Garlan turned round towards Bertha again, for she hadsuddenly left off playing.

"I have a slight headache," she exclaimed, as if it were necessary tomake some excuse; immediately, however, she felt as though it werebeneath her dignity to say that, and she added: "I don't feel anyinclination to play."

Everybody looked at her, feeling that something rather out of the commonwas happening.

"Won't you come and sit by us, Bertha?" said Frau Garlan.

Elly had a vague idea that she ought to show her affection for her aunt,and hung on her arm; and the two of them stood side by side, leaningagainst the piano.