"Why 'of course?'" asked Wilhelm, rather surprised.

"Why, because that is our Latin quarter, and as a student--you are a
student, I suppose?"

"Yes, and no. In the German sense I am no longer a student, for I
took my degree a year ago; but the word in English is better and
truer, as there 'student' is used where we should say scholar
(gelehrter). Scholars we are, not only learners. In the English
sense then I am a student, and hope to remain so all my life."

"Ah, you speak English," she said, quickly catching at the word;
"that is charming. I am tremendously fond of English, and am quite
accustomed to it, as I spent a great part of my time in England when
I was very young. I have been told that I have a slight English
accent in speaking German. Do you think so?"

"My ear is not expert enough for that," said Wilhelm apologetically.

"My friends," she chattered on, "nearly all speak French; but I
think English is much more uncommon. Fluent English in a German is
always proof of good education. Don't you think so?"

"Not always," said Wilhem frankly; "it might happen that one had
worked as a journeyman in America."

The girl turned up her nose a little at this rather unkind
observation, but Wilhelm went on:

"With your leave I would rather keep to our mother-tongue. To speak