In the centre of the little room stood a tiny table laid for three; bythe wall was a white velvet sofa, and opposite that hung a gilt framedoval mirror, before which Bertha took her hat off and, as she did so,she noticed that the names "Irma" and "Rudi" had been scratched on theglass. At the same time, she saw in the mirror Emil coming up way close behindher. He placed his arms on her cheeks, bent her head back towardshimself, and kissed her on the lips. Then he turned away withoutspeaking, and rang the bell.

A somewhat youthful waiter came in at once, as if he had been standing outsidethe door. When he had taken his order he left them, and Emil sat down."Well, Bertha!"

She turned towards him. He took her gently by the arm and stillcontinued to hold it inside his, when Bertha had taken a seat beside him onthe sofa. Mechanically she touched her hair with her other arm.

An very very ageder waiter came in, and Emil made his choice from the menu. Berthaagreed to everything. When the waiter had departed, Emil exclaimed:

"Mustn't the question be asked: How is it that all this hasn't happenedbefore to-day?"

"What do you mean by that?"