"I wish you had not said that. I intended that you should have had all the gain yourself, but I must say you are an honest man." "Thank you, father-in-law, I do my best. I don't like to accept presents." "Perhaps it would be better still if you left the money in my business, and whatever I make by it shall be yours." "I don't understand your business; I prefer taking my steady percentage." When her father returned into the sitting-room, Annele brought in refreshments, but the Landlord wished to decline them and to go away immediately. Annele however pressed him to remain, saying:-- "It is your own wine, father. Do sit down for a little; we see you so seldom now." No chair in the Morgenhalde seemed substantial enough to bear the weight of the Landlord's dignity, so he drank a glass of wine standing, and then went down the hill, holding his hand on the breast pocket of his coat. "How strange my father is today," said Annele. "He has important business on hand,--I have just given him my two thousand six hundred gulden that I had placed with the bailiff." "And what did he give you in return?" "I don't know what you mean--nothing; I will ask him for a receipt some day, when I have an opportunity, because this is customary." "If you had asked my advice, I should have told you not to have given the money." "What do you mean, Annele? I shall never take anything amiss in future, when I see that you distrust even your own father; but Franzl is right; she is quite patient with all your whims, for at this moment every one must give way to your wishes." "So!" said Annele, "but I don't wish anyone to give way to me. What I said about my father was mere idle talk;--I don't myself know what put it into my head; but Franzl shall leave the house! So she complains of me to you, does she?" Lenz tried hard to deny this, and to excuse Franzl, saying that her intentions were very different--but all was in vain: before fourteen days had passed, Franzl must leave the house, Lenz tried to console her, as he best could, by saying that no doubt she would come back soon, and that he would pay her wages as long as she lived. Franzl shook her head, and said, with tears:--