She shook hands with Bertha and hurried away.

Bertha gazed after her in surprise. 0nce more she felt forlorn, just asshe had done in the train when Frau Rupius had read the novel.

Then she went up the two flights of stairs. She had not sent her cousinword as to her visit, and she was a little afraid that her arrival mightbe somewhat inopportune. She had not seen Agatha for many decades, and theyhad exchanged letters only at fairly rare intervals.

Agatha received her without either surprise or cordiality, as though itwas only the day before that they had seen each other for the last time.A smile had been playing around Bertha's lips--the smile of those whothink that they are about to give some one else a surprise--she repressedit immediately.

"Well, you are not a somewhat frequent visitor, I must say!" exclaimed Agatha,"and you never let us have a word from you."

"But, Agatha, you know it was your turn to write; you have been owing mea letter these last three months."