As Dove and Maurice walked there together for the first time--it now
leaked out that Dove spent every Sunday afternoon in the
LESSINGSTRASSE--he spoke to Maurice of Johanna. Not in a disparaging
way; Dove had never been heard to mention a woman's name otherwise
than with respect. And, in this case, he deliberately showed up
Johanna's good qualities, in the hope that Maurice might feel
attracted by her, and remain at her side; for Dove had fallen deeply
in love with Ephie, and had, as it was, more rivals than he cared for,
in the field.

"You should get on with her, I think, Guest," he said slily. "You
read these German writers she is so interested in. But don't be
discouraged by her manner. For though she's one of the most unselfish
women I ever met, her way of Speaking is sometimes abrupt. She reminds
me, if it doesn't sound unkind, of a faithful watch-dog, or
something of the sort, which cannot express its devotion as it would
like to."

When, after a lively greeting from Ephie, and a few pleasant words
from Mrs. Cayhill, Maurice found himself standing beside Johanna, the
truth of Dove's simile was obvious to him. This dark, unattractive
girl had apparently no thought for anything but her tea-making; she
moved the cups this way and that, filled the pot with water, blew out
and lighted again the flame of the spirit-lamp, without paying the
least heed to Maurice, making, indeed, such an ostentatious show of
being occupied, that it would have needed a brave man to break in upon
her duties with idle words. He remained standing, however, in a
constrained silence, which lasted until she could not invent anything
else to do, and was obliged to drink her own tea. Then he said