ughtn't to take such a time about it."

"Listen," said Anna, "they've moved her into the back bedroom above
here, so as not to disturb the people. That was a groan--that one!"

"Two small beers," shouted Herr Lehmann through the slide.

"One moment, one moment."

At eight o'clock the cafe was deserted. Sabina sat down in the corner
without her sewing. Nothing seemed to have happened to the Frau. A
doctor had come--that was all.

"Ach," said Sabina. "I think no more of it. I listen no more. Ach, I
would like to go away--I hate this talk. I will not hear it. No, it is
too much." She leaned both elbows on the table--cupped her face in her
hands and pouted.

But the outer door suddenly opening, she sprang to her feet and laughed.
It was the Young Man again. He ordered more port, and brought no book
this time.

"Don't go and sit miles away," he grumbled. "I want to be amused. And
here, take my coat. Can't you dry it somewhere?--snowing again."

"There's a warm place--the ladies' cloak-room," she said. "I'll take it
in there--just by the kitchen."

She felt better, and quite happy again.

"I'll come with you," he said. "I'll see where you put it."

And that did not seem at all extraordinary. She laughed and beckoned to
him.

"In here," she cried. "Feel how warm. I'll put more wood on that oven.
It doesn't matter, they're all busy upstairs."

She knelt down on the floor, and thrust the wood into the oven, laughing
at her own wicked extravagance.

The Frau was forgotten, the stupid day was forgotten. Here was someone
beside her laughing, too. They were together in the little warm room
stealing Herr Lehmann's wood. It seemed the most exciting adventure
in the world. She wanted to go on laughing--or burst out
crying--or--or--catch hold of the Young Man.

"What a fire," she shrieked, stretching out her hands.

"Here's a hand; pull up," said the Young Man. "There, now, you'll catch
it to-morrow."

They stood opposite to each other, hands still clinging. And again that
strange tremor thrilled Sabina.

"Look here," he said roughly, "are you a child, or are you playing at
being one?"

"I--I--"

Laughter ceased. She looked up at him once, then down at the floor, and
began breathing like a frightened little animal.

He pulled her closer still and kissed her mouth.

"Na, what are you doing?" she whispered.

He let go her hands, he placed his on her breasts, and the room seemed
to swim round Sabina. Suddenly