Page:Karl Gjellerup - Minna, A novel - 1913.djvu/146

 had disappeared, while the other one was turned towards us.

Minna bit her lip. At the same time the smallest girl turned round and held her doll towards her.

"Miss Jagemann, shall we soon be in the shade? Otherwise Caroline will get freckles."

We were only too glad of the chance to laugh, but the child was very much insulted by our outburst.

"Then I will say it is your fault, and mother will have to give Caroline some of her toilet water."

"Good-day, Cousin Minna," suddenly sounded behind us. "I say, how jolly! Good-day, Mr.—Mr. Fenger!" The schoolmaster, marching along in shirt-sleeves, with his jacket hanging on a stick over his shoulder, had come up behind us, and Minna replied a little stiffly to his greeting.

"Ah, is it you, Mr. Storch," I exclaimed, feeling as if he had caught me in a trap.

"Yes, indeed," he answered, with a wink which clearly said: "Well, so you have discovered her, the little governess, my beautiful Cousin Minna! Now, did I not say so?"

"Nice weather, but warm—pouf! It is the last day of my holiday," he added with a sigh.

"Where are you going?"

"I am bound for Hohenstein; will you come with me?"

"Thanks, not this time."

"Do not mind for my sake, Mr. Fenger" Minna began.

"My goodness! An engagement is an engagement, and what is best is best. In your case, neither would I go—'Why gaze into the distance, look here—the good lies near.' Thank goodness one knows one's classics. As long as one can quote Goethe, drink München beer, smoke