And so the talk went on over the tea, until ten o'clock. Then Botho rose to go and Lena and Frau Doerr accompanied him through the front garden to the gate. While they were standing there Frau Doerr reminded them that after all they had forgotten the philopena. Both seemed desirous to disregard this reminder and repeated once more how delightful the afternoon had been. "We must make such little excursions oftener, Lena, and when I come again, we will think where to go. I shall be sure to think of something, some place where it is quiet and beautiful, and further away, and not just across the fields." "And we will take Frau Doerr with us again," said Lena, "You ask her, will you not, Botho?" "Certainly, Lena. Frau Doerr must always go with us. Without her the trip would be a failure." "Ah, Herr Baron, I could never accept that, I could never expect such a thing." "Oh, yes indeed, dear Frau Doerr," laughed Botho. "You may expect everything, such a woman as you." And therewith they parted. CHAPTER XI The country excursion, which had been promised or at least discussed after the walk to Wilmersdorf, was now the favorite topic for several weeks, and whenever Botho came the question was, where to go? All possible places were mentioned: Erkner and Kranichberg, Schwilow and Baumgartenbrueck, but all were too much frequented, and so it happened that at last Botho spoke of Hankel's Ablage, the beauty and solitude of which he had heard enthusiastically described. Lena agreed, for all she wanted was to get out into God's green world, as far as possible from the city and its doings, and to be with her lover. It really did not matter where. The next Friday was decided upon for the excursion. "Agreed." And so they started by the Goerlitz afternoon train for Hankel's Ablage, where they had engaged quarters for the night and meant to pass the next day very quietly. There were very few coaches on the train, but even these were not very full, and so it happened that Botho and Lena found themselves alone. In the next coupe there was a good deal of talk, from which it was plainly to be heard that these were through passengers and not people meaning to stop over at Hankel's Ablage. Lena was happy, and gave her hand to Botho and gazed silently at the landscape with its woods and meadows. At last she said: "But what will Frau Doerr say about our leaving her at home?" "She needn't find it out." "Mother will be sure to tell her,"