scrubbing.

"Nabben', Fraulein," said the head.

"Nabben'," I replied, more mystified than ever.
"Howdy do! Is there anything--"

The head thrust itself forward still more, showing a
pair of plump shoulders as its support. Then the plump
shoulders heaved into the room, disclosing a stout,
starched gingham body.

"Ich bin Frau Knapf," announced the beaming vision.

Now up to this time Frau Knapf had maintained a Mrs.
Harris-like mysteriousness. I had heard rumors of her,
and I had partaken of certain crispy dishes of German
extraction, reported to have come from her deft hands,
but I had not even caught a glimpse of her skirts
whisking around a corner.

Therefore: "Frau Knapf!" I repeated. "Nonsense!
There ain't no sich person--that is, I'm glad to see you.
Won't you come in and sit down?"

"Ach, no!" smiled the substantial Frau Knapf,
clinging tightly to the door knob. "I got no time. It
gives much to do to-night yet. Kuchen dough I must set,
und ich weiss nicht was. I got no time."