"It is so peaceful here with you, Frau Kläre," she said sometimes. "It does one good."
Güntz shook his head over her weird conduct. One thing gratified him concerning her, however: it was that she admired his little son unreservedly, and could be given no greater treat than to be allowed to hold the boy on her lap. She would sit as though worshipping the child, who, indeed, was no angel, only a quite ordinary, fat, chubby infant. At such times her small finely-chiselled features would light up with a glorious beauty; so that Güntz one day whispered to his wife, "Do you know what the Gropphusen needs? A child!"
And in his open-hearted way he once said jokingly to Hannah: "Wouldn't you like a beautiful boy like that for yourself, dear lady?"
At that Hannah Gropphusen sprang up wildly. Her hands shook so that she could scarcely hold the baby, whom Kläre snatched from her only just in time.
"I, a child?" she cried. "For the love of God, never, never!"
A look of horror was in her eyes. She held her hands before her face as though to shut out something horrible.
Güntz drew back shocked, and stole softly from the room, taking with him the baby, who had set up a mighty howling. Kläre put her arm round the trembling woman, led her to a seat, and soothed her like a child.
Sitting motionless, Frau von Gropphusen listened to the gentle, comforting sound of the words, without taking in their meaning, Suddenly she sprang up and said in a voice of enforced calm:
"Forgive me, dear kind Frau Kläre, for having caused such a disturbance. It is wrong of me not to be able to control myself better. Don't be vexed, or angry with me, but please just forget what has happened."
She began hurriedly to prepare for leaving. Her hands still shook as she pinned on her hat before the mirror.
"Let me go with you, dear Frau von Gropphusen," urged Kläre.
Hannah von Gropphusen, however, was smiling once more; though in sooth on her pallid countenance the smile had something of a ghastly look.
"No, no, Frau Kläre," she assured her; "I am better alone."
Once more saying, "Forgive me, won't you?" she departed.
Güntz meanwhile had not been able to quiet the little screamer, and was glad enough when Kläre took the child from him.