an after him; I suppose in the wood I put _my_ arm round
_his_ waist, and I suppose that it was _I_ who began the acquaintance
on my birthday) and that girl who's training for the stage did not come
home after the excursion till the night was half over. God knows
where they were! They were certainly no _cleaner_ when they got home.
(Naturally, for where could they have had a wash.) His father gave the
young blackguard a fine talking to, but of course the girl's mother
takes her side. It would positively kill me to think of _my Marina doing
anything of the kind_." Father was able to get a word in at last: "But
my dear Alma, what has all this to do with my girls? As far as I know
these two people weren't in our break, isn't that so girls?" I was glad
that Father turned to _us_, and I said: "Siegfried Sch. and the girl
drove in the fourth break, I saw them getting in. And it was toute meme
chause where he drove and with whom he was driving." (Of course that's
not true, but I said it was because of Aunt.) "Such language and such
a tone to your own Father!" Directly she said that Father was in such a
passion as I have never seen him in before. "My dear Alma, I really must
beg you not to interfere with _my_ educational methods, any more than
I ever attempt to interfere in _your_ affairs." Father said this quite
quietly, but he was simply white with rage, and Dora told me afterwards
that I was quite white too, also from rage of course. Aunt Alma said:
"I don't want to prophesy evil, but the future will show who is right
Goodbye." As soon as she had gone Dora and I rushed to Father and said:
"Please Father, don't be so frightfully angry; there's no reason why you
should." And Father was awfully sweet and said: "I know quite well that
I can trust you; you are my Berta's children." And then I simply could
not contain myself, and I said: "No, Father, I really did flirt with
Siegfried, and in the wood he put his arm round my waist; but I did not
let him kiss me, I give you my word I did not. And if you want me
to I'll promise never to speak to him again." And then Father said:
"Really, Gretel, you have plenty of time yet for such affairs, and
even if that _red-haired rascal_ plays the gallant with you, he is only
making himself a laughing-stock. And you don't want that, do you, little
witch?" Then I threw my arms round Father and promised him _on my word
of honour_ that I would never speak to Siegfried again. For it really
distresses