However, he spoke openly of his mother, and did not shrink from confessing how greatly she had influenced him, though Lilly could read into his words that he wished for more freedom to develop his powers. When his father had died twelve years before, he had been a minor, and had had to yield to his mother's guidance. The old lady continued to maintain her authority. Dehnicke discussed each undertaking with her, and if she approved, it was executed, even if he did not concur. Lilly felt a dull terror arise within her of that old lady who sat commandingly in her arm-chair behind those respectable porcelain flower pots, and directed the conduct of so powerful a man as Lilly's benefactor. Her heart would contract when she imagined her first meeting with the old lady. * * * * * Before Christmas Lilly had more work to do. Two dozen transparencies had been ordered and had to be completed before the holidays. 24x30=720. Well, she could see ahead again. For the first time in four years she forgot to send her mother a Christmas gift. To compensate, she made a particularly "poetic" lamp shade and had it delivered anonymously to Mr. Dehnicke's mother the day before Christmas. She herself did not know why she did this. Perhaps it was a sort of propitiatory offering, such as timid souls were wont to sacrifice to unknown gods as an expiation for unknown sins. Counting upon her friend's coming, though by no means certain he would, she had made a little heap of her gifts for him, and at the fall of dusk with throbbing heart began to listen for the ring of the door bell. Her fears were idle. At half past five he appeared loaded with parcels. He had displayed tact in his choice of the simple presents--things she still needed in the apartment, a few embroidered collars, a boa, because she had to be careful of her sables, and a few little pieces from his factory to adorn the empty top of her secrétaire. At each of her exclamations of delight he protested mildly. The things really came from Walter, as she knew. "And what comes from you?" she asked. "Nothing," he replied, turning his palms upward. "I know of something you could give me that Walter has nothing to do with." "What's that?" "Show me your factory." This time he did not evade her request. A date was immediately set--the first workday after New Year, when everything would be in running order again. Then Mr. Dehnicke added with an embarrassed air: "But please wear something dark and simple." "Why?" asked Lilly, frightened. "Do I usually dress conspicuously?" She felt as if some one had boxed her ears. "Oh, not that. But your good clothes might be soiled." * * * * * On January the second at about noon Lilly stood in front of the house in Alte Jakobstrasse, which she had not seen since she had paid Mr. Dehnicke that memorable first visit in his office.