"
The servant announced dinner, and both went to the table. Else almost
always arranged to be alone with Robert on Tuesday.
"I think," she said, when they were seated opposite to each other, "that
you ought not to take Thiel's words lightly. He is your friend. And,"
she added hesitatingly, as Robert did not answer, "he is right."
"You say that, too?" he exclaimed, indignantly.
"Yes, dear, dear Robert, yes. I should not have ventured to say it first
and alone. You might have considered it rude and selfish. You cannot
think so in Thiel. When he says to you: Stop!--it is not obtrusive.
Since I am merely repeating his view, I have the courage to confess that
it has been for a long time my own opinion."
"A long time! That is more and more pleasing."
Frau von der Lehde hesitated a moment. The phrase was really not well
chosen. But the words could not be recalled, so she bravely continued,
growing warmer, more urgent, the longer she spoke.
"Robert, I repeat, Thiel is right. It is time for you to think of your
own happiness. You have bestowed much joy in your life, and, it is true,
also caused much sorrow, probably far more sorrow than joy, but you have
not been happy yourself.
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