"
"Happily I am in a position which makes it unnecessary for me to
work for my bread."
"That is quite another thing," said the councilor in a friendly way,
while his wife cast a quick glance over Wilhelm's clothes,
unfashionable and rather worn, but scrupulously clean.
"One can see that this idealist neglects his outward appearance,"
her good-natured glance, half-apologetic, half-compassionate, seemed
to say.
Herr Ellrich changed the conversation to the management of the
hotel; discussing for a time the Margrave's wines, the south German
cookery, the Black Forest tourists, and a variety of other minor
topics. He then asked his daughter:
"Now, Loulou, have you made a programme for tomorrow yet? She is our
maitre de plaisir," he explained to Wilhelm.
"A frightfully difficult post," exclaimed Loulou. "Papa and mamma
love quiet; I like moving about, and I endeavor to harmonize the
two."
Wilhelm thought that the opposing tasks would very soon be
harmonized if Loulou subordinated her inclinations to her parents'
comfort; but he kept his thoughts to himself.
"I vote that to-morrow morning we go for a little drive. As to the
afternoon, we can arrange that later. Perhaps Dr.---" She stopped
short, and her mother came to her help and completed the invitation.
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