Page:T.M. Royal Highness.djvu/160

144 than the door post, fills me with embarrassment, that's the way I feel towards the people.&hellip;"

"Yes, Albrecht, quite true. It's often by no means easy to keep one's countenance when one passes by a fellow like that. The lackeys! If one only did not know what frauds they are! One hears fine stories about them.&hellip;"

"What stories?"

"Oh, one keeps one's ears open.&hellip;"

"Come, come!" said Ditlinde. "Don't let's worry about that. Here you are talking about ordinary things, and I had two topics noted down which I thought we might discuss this afternoon.&hellip; Would you be so kind, Klaus Heinrich, as to reach me that notebook there in blue leather on the writing-table? Many thanks. I note down in this everything I have to remember, both house hold matters and other things. What a blessing it is to be able to see everything down in black and white! My head is terribly weak, it can't remember things, and if I weren't tidy and didn't jot everything down, I should be done for. First of all, Albrecht, before I forget it, I wanted to remind you that you must escort Aunt Catherine at the first Court on November 1st—you can't get out of it. I withdraw; the honour fell to me at the last Court Ball, and Aunt Catherine was terribly put out.&hellip; Do you consent? Good, then I cross out item 1. Secondly, Klaus Heinrich, I wanted to ask you to make a short appearance at the Orphan Children's Bazaar on the 15th in the Town Hall. I am patroness, and I take my duties seriously, as you see. You needn't buy anything—a pocket comb.&hellip; In short, all you need do is to show yourself for ten minutes. It's for the orphans.&hellip; Will you come? You see, now I can cross another off. Thirdly &hellip;"

But the Princess was interrupted. Fraulein von Isenschnibbe, the Court lady, was announced and tripped in at once through the big drawing-room, her feather boa waving