"And you were right to be afraid! It will become more and more difficult to get money from Germany to England," said her host, and there was a touch of grimness in his voice. "Still, there are ways of getting over every difficulty. Should the war last as long, I will certainly see that you, Frau Bauer, receive what is your due on the 1st of next January. But many strange things may happen before then. Long before Christmas you may no longer be earning this money." "Oh! I hope that will not be the case!" She looked very much disturbed. L5 a year was about a fifth of good old Anna's total income. "Well, we shall see. I will do my best for you, Frau Bauer." "Thank you, thank you! I am very grateful to you, Mr. Hegner." Indeed old Anna's feelings towards the man who sat there, playing with a pen in his hand, had undergone an extraordinary transformation. She had come into the room disliking him, fearing him, feeling sure that he was going to take some advantage of her. Now she stared at his moody, rather flushed face, full of wondering gratitude. How strange that he had never taken the trouble to tell her that he knew Willi! She was sorry to remember how often she had dissuaded her mistress from getting something at the Stores that could be got elsewhere, some little thing on which the tiny commission she received would have been practically nil, or, worse still, overlooked. Her commission had been often overlooked of late unless she kept a very sharp look-out on the bills, which Mrs. Otway had a tiresome habit of locking away when receipted. She took the five precious gold pieces off the table, and moved, as if to rise from her chair. But Mr. Hegner waved his hand. "Sit down, sit down, Frau Bauer," he said. "There is no hurry. I enjoy the thought of a little chat with you." He waited a moment. "And are you thinking of staying on in your present position? You are--let me see--with Mrs. Otway?" "Oh yes," she said, brightening. "I shall certainly stay where I am. I am very happy there. They are very kind to me, Mr. Hegner. I love my young lady as much as I do my own child." "It is a quiet house," he went on, "a quiet house, with very little coming and going, Frau Bauer. Is not that so?" "There is a good deal of visiting," she said quickly. "It is a hospitable house." "Not often gentlemen of the garrison, I suppose?" "Indeed, yes," cried Anna eagerly. "You know how it is in England? It is not like in our country. Here everybody is much more associated. In some ways it is pleasanter." "Very true. And had any of these officers who came and called on your two ladies reason to suppose that the war was coming?" Anna stared at him, surprised. "No, indeed!" she cried. "English officers never talk of warlike subjects. I have never even seen one of them wearing his uniform."