"Then there really remains nothing to be done but to claim hospitality from the Count," said the President, turning to the General; "the Count and I are the best friends in the world; our little differences are quite beside the question in such a case as this. Besides, he is very likely not at his shooting-lodge, and we shall only have to do with his steward. It is altogether my opinion that we should migrate to Golmberg. The only question is how to get there?" The farmer, who had meanwhile returned to the room, would not hear of the proposal. The weather was frightful, and even should the rain soon stop, the roads were bad; his wife would manage; the gentlefolk would make allowances. The gentlemen looked irresolutely at each other, but Elsa stood firm. "Men know nothing about such things," said she; "this is woman's business, and I have settled it all with your wife, Herr Pölitz. She is making me a cup of coffee now, and the gentlemen shall have some brandy and water. And while we refresh ourselves Herr Pölitz shall send a man on horseback to announce us at Golmberg, so that we may not arrive quite unexpectedly. If the Count is at home we owe him so much consideration; if he is not, so much the better--we shall only have to do with the steward. Then when the rain has stopped, Herr Pölitz will have the horses put to--" "I have only a cart to offer you," said the farmer. "And that will be quite sufficient," cried Elsa; "a carriage would not be at all suitable for shipwrecked people. And now, Herr Pölitz, do you be as good and wise as your good, wise little wife!" She gave her two hands to the farmer. There was a strange quiver in the man's sunburnt face. "You are a good young lady," he murmured, as he tightly pressed the little hands that lay in his. The President had already taken a leaf from his pocket-book, and sat down at the farmer's little desk to write his announcement. "What did you say was your name, Captain?" he asked over his shoulder. Reinhold was no longer in the room; he must just have left it. The maid who came in with the coffee told them that the gentleman had put on his macintosh in the outer-room, and said that he must see what had become of the steamer. "A true sailor!" said the General. "He cannot rest in peace; it would be just the same with me." "I suppose we must include him? what do you think?" asked the President in a low voice of Elsa. "Certainly!" said Elsa, with decision. "Perhaps he does not wish it?" "Possibly; but we must not leave the decision to him. His name is Schmidt." "Classical name," murmured the President, bending over his paper. The messenger was sent off; the farmer came in to keep the gentlemen company, while Elsa went back to the wife in the smoky little kitchen to tell her what had been arranged.