'She told me that you ... that you have suddenly decided to change
... your former intention.' Gemma's head was bent again. She vanished
altogether under her hat; nothing could be seen but her neck, supple
and tender as the stalk of a big flower.

'What intentions?'

'Your intentions ... relative to ... the future arrangement of your
life.'

'That is ... you are speaking ... of Herr Klueber?'

'Yes.'

'Mamma told you I don't want to be Herr Klueber's wife?'

'Yes.'

Gemma moved forward on the seat. The basket tottered, fell ... a few
cherries rolled on to the path. A minute passed by ... another.

'Why did she tell you so?' he heard her voice saying. Sanin as before
could only see Gemma's neck. Her bosom rose and fell more rapidly than
before.

'Why? Your mother thought that as you and I, in a short time, have
become, so to say, friends, and you have some confidence in me, I am
in a position to give you good advice--and you would mind what I say.'