And now they began chasing and running, and Lena actually could not be caught until at last she was so weak with laughter and excitement that she took refuge behind the substantial form of Frau Doerr. "Now I have a tree to dodge around," she laughed, "and so you'll never catch me." And thereupon she took hold of Frau Doerr's rather loose jacket and pushed the good woman so cleverly to the left and right, that she protected herself for quite a while. But suddenly Botho was beside her and caught her and gave her a kiss. "That is against the rules; we had not agreed on anything." But despite this protest she hung on his arm and commanded, imitating the harsh voice of the guard, "Forward march ... double quick," and enjoying Frau Doerr's endless exclamations of admiration wherewith the good woman accompanied the game. "Is it believable?" said she. "No, one can hardly believe it. And always just like this. And when I think of mine! It is unbelievable, I say. And yet he was a man too. And he always behaved so!" "What in the world is she talking about?" asked Botho softly. "Oh she is just thinking.... But you know all about it.... I told you about it before." "Oh, so that is it. Well, he can't have been so very bad." "Who knows? For that matter, one is about the same as another." "Do you think so?" "No." And she shook her head while her eyes shone with a soft and tender expression. But she would not let this mood get the upper hand of her and so she said quickly: "Let us sing, Frau Doerr. Let us sing. But what shall we sing?" "'Rosy dawn' ..." "No, not that ... 'To-morrow in the cold grave' is too sad for me. No, let us sing 'A year from now, a year from now' or rather 'Do you remember?'" "Yes, that is right, that is a pretty one: that is my favorite song." And with well-practised voices all three sang Frau Doerr's favorite song, and when they had nearly reached the garden the words still rung out over the field: "_Ich denke d'ran.... Ich danke dir, mein Leben_." And then from the other side of the road, where the long row of sheds and carriage-houses were, the echoes repeated the song. Frau Doerr was very, very happy. But Lena and Botho had grown quiet and serious. CHAPTER X It was already growing dark when they stood once more in front of Frau Nimptsch's house, and Botho, who had quickly recovered his high spirits, wanted to come in for just a moment and then bid good-bye at once. But when Lena had reminded him of all sorts of promises, and Frau Doerr with much emphasis and much use of her eyes had reminded him of the still outstanding philopena, he yielded and decided to spend the evening. "That is right," said Frau Doerr. "And I will stay too. That is, if I may and if I shall not be in the way of the philopena. For one can never know. And I will just take my hat and cloak home and then come right back."