Mrs Hepburn lifted her heavily-jewelledlittle hand
in a motion of protest. Thefuture to me is like a big tangle of black
thread.
You cant leave his puppet standing there. Only
perhaps she is too open-hearted,too impulsive, poor thing.
No, thank you, she said hastily, terrified at the
thought.
Her face lookedyellow, and VERY
wrinkled.
InEngland, we always have tea at half past. Theres
more in it than yousay, ruminated the little woman.
I always thought theyfascinated you then, with
their mantillas.
She was almost indignant at being slighted
socompletely herself, in the little ladys suspicions. Hannele explained, and the
inspection and the rhapsody went ontogether. Quite motionless he sat in
thatattitude, like some leaden figure on the roof. I have never known himbefore go
against my real wishes.
Anyhow, I shall call one Countess and the other
Baroness.
Oh yes, I have alwaysbeen faithful to him. I will
live for that and for nothing else. Well, even a paintedportrait I think I should
like in my own possession. Why, when he was at home with me, he never gave a
thought, not athought to another woman.
And most women willgive the show away, with real
pathos, to another woman.
IICountess zu Rassentlow had a studio in one of the
main streets.
Anyhow, she said, the price is three guineas: or
the equivalentin marks.
Anyhow, I shall call one Countess and the other
Baroness. Nay,thought Hannele, that scene was really true.
He could dosomething in meteorological work. Why,
when he was at home with me, he never gave a thought, not athought to another woman.
Im sure itis a very clever portrait indeed.