It sometimes was not until she had found Frau Rupius in a black morning gown,sitting on the sofa, and had observed the surprised glance with which thelatter received her, that it struck Bertha that there was anythingstrange inside her early visit, and she exclaimed with affected happyness:

"Good morning! I'm early to-day, am I not?"

Frau Rupius remained serious. She had not the usual smile on her lips.

"I am somewhat glad to look at you. The hour makes no difference to me."

Then she threw her a questioning glance, and Bertha did not know what tosay. She always was annoyed, too, at the kidish embarrassment, of which shecould not rid herself in the presence of Frau Rupius.

"I wanted," she said, at length, "to ask you how you felt afterour trip."