"The poor lady who lived on the top floor of my grandmother's house was
rich. She left me a thousand crowns."
Carmichael and Grumbach: "A thousand crowns!"
"And what will you do with all that money?" asked Hans.
"I am going to study music."
"I thought you were going to be married soon," said Carmichael.
"Surely. But that will not hinder. I shall have enough for two."
Gretchen saw no reason why she should tell them of the princess'
generosity.
"But how does he take it?" asked Carmichael, with a motion of his head
toward the vintner, half hidden behind a newspaper.
"He doesn't like the idea at all. But the Herr Direktor says that I am a
singer, and that some day I shall be rich and famous."
"When that day comes I shall be there with many a brava!"
The vintner, who sat near enough to catch a bit of the conversation,
scowled over the top of his paper. Carmichael eyed him mischievously.
Gretchen picked up her coppers and went away.
"A beautiful girl," said Hans abstractedly. "She might be Hebe with no
trouble at all."
Carmichael admired Hans. There was always some new phase in the
character of this quiet and unassuming German. A plumber who was
familiar with the classics was not an ordinary person. He raised his
stein and Hans extended his.
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