I'm going to see to the horse, so take your time, and do what you
like," with which vague information Dick vanished, and Dolly wished
herself anywhere but where she was.
Mr. Bopp sat before the fire, looking so haggard and worn out that
the girl's conscience pricked her sorely for her part in the change,
but plucking up her courage, she stirred briskly among the tea-cups,
asking,--
"What shall I give you, sir?"
"Thank you, I haf no care to eat."
Something in his spiritless mien and sorrowful voice made Dolly's
eyes fill; but knowing she must depend upon herself now, and make
the best of her position, she said kindly, yet nervously,--
"You look tired; let me do something for you if I can; shall I sing
for you a little? you once said music rested you."
"You are kind; I could like that I think. Excoose me if I am dull, I
haf--yes, a little air if you please."
More and more disturbed by his absent, troubled manner, Dolly began
a German song he had taught her, but before the first line was sung
he stopped her with an imploring--
"For Gott sake not that! I cannot hear it this night; it was the
last I sung her in the Vaterland."
"Mr. Bopp, what is it? Dick says you have a trouble; tell me, and
let us help you if we can. Are you ill, in want, or has any one
wronged or injured you in any way? Oh, let me help you!"
Tears had been streaming down Mr. Bopp's cheeks, but as she spoke he
checked them, and tried to answer steadily,--
"No, I am not ill; I haf no wants now, and no one has hurt me but in
kindness; yet I haf so great a grief, I could not bear it all alone,
and so I came to ask a little sympathy from your good Mutter, who
has been kind to me as if I was a son.
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