he found it impossible to efface the impression she had received the
evening before. The painful memory had been too deeply stamped upon her
mind, to be easily wiped out.

When the little family had bade each other good-night, after their usual
affectionate conversation, Dietrich hesitated about keeping his half-made
promise. He did not want to go; yet Jost's words, that the affair touched
her as nearly as it did him, had made their intended impression, and
though it went sadly against his grain to know that Jost dared even to
think about Veronica and her interests at all, still he could not help
wondering what it was all about. Suddenly his resolution was taken; he
turned about, went down stairs and softly left the house.

Jost was standing in the doorway of the Rehbock, looking out into the
night to see if Dietrich was coming. They went at once into the little
back room. Blasi was there, sitting behind a big empty bowl; indeed he
never sat long behind a full one, for as the bowl was there to be emptied
he thought the quicker it was done the better.

"I'm glad you have come," he cried out, "for we've run quite dry here."

Dietrich perceived that he was expected to counteract the dryness; so he
ordered some beer, and when this was supplied Jost began in a cautious
tone,

"I have something to say to you, Dietrich, that I don't care for those
outside to hear. Blasi can stay, because he is our comrade."

"And because he can be made useful," said Dietrich readily, for he knew of
old that Jost was in the habit of rushing Blasi forward, where he did not