ASTA. Did he not even telegraph?

RITA. Yes, an hour before he arrived--quite curtly and coldly.
[Laughs.] Don't you think that was like him, Asta?

ASTA. Yes; he goes so quietly about everything.

RITA. But that made it all the more delightful to have him again.

ASTA. Yes, I am sure it would.

RITA. A whole fortnight before I expected him!

ASTA. And is he quite well? Not in low spirits?

RITA. [Closes the bag with a snap, and smiles at her.] He looked
quite transfigured as he stood in the doorway.

ASTA. And was he not the least bit tired either?

RITA. Oh, yes, he seemed to be tired enough--very tired, in fact.
But, poor fellow, he had come on foot the greater part of the way.

ASTA. And then perhaps the high mountain air may have been rather
too keen for him.

RITA. Oh, no; I don't think so at all. I haven't heard him cough
once.

ASTA. Ah, there you see now! It was a good thing, after all, that